Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of the opening two Six Nation matches as he continues his recovery from the concussion sustained in the victory over Australia last November.
Head Coach Warren Gatland stated that he will take no risks with Halfpenny as he undergoes light training.
Speaking at the Six Nations launch ahead of their opening encounter against France at the Stade de France a week on Friday, Gatland commended the depth of his squad and suggested they will cope with any injury concerns.
“Leigh’s making progress, improving, he’s training,” said Gatland. “We’re just mindful that he’s still been a little symptomatic with a few headaches.
“For us it’s just easing him back in slowly. We probably won’t consider him for the first two games.
“Then hopefully he starts taking more of a part in training and we can look at potentially including him towards the end of the tournament.
“It’s been tough, he’s found it difficult.”
Gatland also added: “Luckily enough he has had the distraction of his partner giving birth. And he’s been doing a lot of one-on-one work with Neil Jenkins, kicking – those are good distractions.
“There’s absolutely been no pressure from us in terms of trying to rush him back. The most important thing is his health and his safety.
“We’re just taking advice and moving things along. His well being is the main thing.”
Wales will also likely be without scrum-half Gareth Davies and centre Scott Williams as they seek to win their first Six Nations since 2013.
“Leigh Halfpenny is unlikely to play the first couple of games, Gareth Davies has a quad strain and Scott Williams an ankle injury.” said Gatland.
“Those three are unlikely to be considered against France. We will know more after we come into camp this weekend.
“Only 27 of the 39 players in the squad were able to take a full part in training on our first day together because of knocks.”
Dragons flanker Ross Moriarty has also been battling concussion, yet Gatland believes the Wales star will be ready for the season opener.
“He’s probably someone that – if I’m honest – I wouldn’t be worried about.
“The reason I’m saying that, I was surprised in the summer how little rugby he’d had, and he played all three matches.
“I didn’t think he’d be able to get through that but he got better and better as the matches went on.
“He’s still young, he’s raring to go, excited and says he’ll be alright.
“He’s a competitor, but it’s about us assessing him this week and seeing where he is. To make sure we do the due diligence on him so that we’re comfortable in terms of that selection.”
