Former skipper Scott Quinnell is set to deal Wales a massive blow by quitting international rugby.

The British Lion is expected to confirm his decision after tomorrow's
penultimate Autumn International against Canada at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Quinnell appears to have finally bowed to a persistent knee injury which has
troubled him for the past 18 months, although Wales coach Steve Hansen is encouraging him to continue.

The loss of the inspirational No 8 would be a severe setback to Welsh hopes of making an impact in next year's World Cup in Australia.

Wales have lost stalwarts such as Scott Gibbs, Rob Howley and Dai Young in the past 12 months while there are doubts over the future of record points scorer Neil Jenkins, with Stephen Jones having cemented the No 10 spot.

Quinnell, son of legendary forward Derek and nephew of outside-half genius
Barry John, along with Jenkins, are the only remaining links to the side that won the Five Nations Championship in 1994, Wales's last taste of glory.

"Scott's retirement from the international stage would be a massive blow to Wales," said former outside half Phil Bennett. "He is our one world class player at the moment and his retirement would leave a huge hole in Wales' plans with the World Cup less than a year away. We have lost some class players and unfortunately they don't grow on trees."

The 30-year-old has been restricted in his appearances for Llanelli and Wales
since being forced off the field for the Lions during the decisive third Test against Australia in 2001.

Quinnell is on the bench for tomorrow's Canada clash but would be expected to figure at some stage to win his 52nd and possibly final cap - nine years after making his debut against the same opponents.

Hansen faces losing Quinnell before the final Autumn international against
future World Cup opponents New Zealand on Saturday week.

"We all know Scott has got a bad knee," Hansen said. "If he is to play on and make it through to the World Cup we would have to manage that on a daily basis.

"We would like him to keep playing. He is an important component of our
squad. He's got a huge amount of experience and he's a bloke that can turn a game. But at the end of the day it will be his knee and his mind that dictates the decision."

The 18st 9lb 'Mighty Quin' has been a key figure for Wales before and since
returning to the union code in 1996, after he joined rugby league outfit Wigan in a record £400,000 deal two years earlier.

Quinnell's impending departure casts a shadow over preparations for tomorrow's
game, while Hansen has been forced to alter his squad with replacement wing
Dafydd James handed a one-game ban for a breach of discipline.

The Bridgend and British Lions flyer is understood to have been punished for
breaking curfew and leaving the team hotel without permission, with Cardiff's Nick Walne given his place on the bench.

But despite the disrupted build-up, Wales should still see off a physical
Canadian side and follow-up their recent victories over Romania and Fiji.

Hansen has made three changes to the side that flattered the Fijians with
Llanelli lock Vernon Cooper winning his first cap, centre Jamie Robinson keeping his place with Tom Shanklin injured while British Lion Robin McBryde returns at hooker.

The Canadians showed they were no mugs with victory over Scotland last summer
and qualifying for the World Cup, where Wales will be among their pool
opponents.

Five of their players are with British clubs including the Welsh-based forward
trio of Rod Snow, Jon Thiel and John Tait, but they are unlikely to repeat their solitary victory in 10 meetings with Wales in Cardiff back in 1993.