BIGGAR SIX NATIONS BLOW FOR WALES

Dan set to sit out at least the first three matches after shoulder scan:

DAN Biggar has undergone a scan on his injured shoulder amid fears he could miss the majority of Wales’ Six Nations campaign, writes Mark Orders.

A best-case scenario is said to be that the Ospreys fly-half will be sidelined for the first three rounds of the championship.

But there are even concerns he could miss Wales’ entire fivegame programme.

Biggar suffered the injury in his region’s Champions Cup pool 2 clash with Clermont Auvergne

(see above) at Stade Marcel Michelin.

He left the field on 74 minutes with his right shoulder in a shirt sling after being on the wrong end of a charge into a maul from Clermont back rower Fritz Lee. Biggar screamed in pain at the moment of impact and exited the pitch in obvious distress. Even if he is off limits for just three matches, it would prove a major blow for Wales, with Scotland to be faced in Cardiff first up and England and Ireland to then be played on the road. Arguably, those games are the toughest Warren Gatland’s side will face during the championship.

The potential difficulties would be compounded by the absence of Rhys Priestland because of a hamstring injury. Wales still have three other potential No. 10s in their squad in Rhys Patchell, Gareth Anscombe and Owen Williams, but all three players have limited experience at Test level. Patchell has been in outstanding form for the Scarlets, but he has been lining up at full-back in recent weeks.

Biggar’s fate could also have a knock-on effect for Halfpenny, perhaps heightening his chances of facing the Scots on February 3.

The Scarlet has come in for criticism for perceived limitations in attack, but he is a world-class goal-kicker and the assumption is

Gatland would not want Wales to take the field missing both Halfpenny and Biggar.