Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Alun Wyn Jones

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Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations with an elbow injury suffered in Saturday's victory over Scotland.

The 24-year-old Ospreys star faces a minimum of six weeks on the sidelines and perhaps as long as three months after suffering a chipped bone and ligament damage in Wales' dramatic 31-24 Millenniun Stadium triumph.

A statement from the Welsh Rugby Union explained that Jones had his arm checked at half-time but was given the go-ahead to continue, and it was only on Sunday that the full extent of his injury became apparent.

Wales physio Mark Davies said, "Alun Wyn experienced some swelling to the joint the day after the game and was sent for a scan. After receiving those results and after further consultation with surgeons [yesterday], it has been concluded that the chipped bone needs to be removed and the ligament to be repaired in order to ensure a stable joint.

"The necessary period of recovery will be six to 12 weeks ruling him out of the rest of the current Six Nations and allowing him to target an end-of-season return for the Ospreys."

The news is a fresh blow to head coach Warren Gatland who was forced to drop Andy Powell from his pack on Monday, Powell is due to appear in court next month charged with drink-driving after he was arrested with a golf buggy at motorway services, within hours of the win over Scotland.

Gatland has decided not to call in a replacement for Jones ahead of Wales' third match of the campaign, the home clash with unbeaten tournament favourites France on Friday, February 26.

Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris could pair up in the second row for that match, following the dismal end to Jones' tournament. Jones was sin-binned in Wales' opening defeat to England, when Martin Johnson's side took the maximum advantage of their extra man by running in 17 quick points, but he kept his place for the clash with Scotland, despite indications he was in danger of being axed.