Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric is a doubt for Wales’ summer tour of South Africa, says coach Warren Gatland.
The British and Irish Lions flanker has a shoulder problem and there is a possibility he will miss the tour to have an operation.
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Wales captain Sam Warburton has already been ruled out with an injury.
“Justin has a shoulder problem which might need some work doing at the end of the season,” said Gatland.
“It could need an operation, a shaving of some bone, and there’s a possibility he could be ruled out of the tour by it.
“But we’ve got other options because I think South Africa is a team you can play against, because of the size of the players they pick in their back-row, without a specialist open-side.”
The Ospreys confirmed Tipuric has an ongoing shoulder problem but that no decision had been made on whether he would have surgery.
“Justin has an ongoing shoulder problem which, although it doesn’t impact on his playing ability, has been restricting his ability to train fully in the gym,” said Chris Towers, the Ospreys Medical Performance Manager.
“He will need keyhole surgery at some point, to enable him to continue playing to his full ability.
“No decision had been made on timings at this stage but whatever the decision, it will be made in full consultation with the player, and will be in his best long-term interests.”
Tipuric has been Warburton’s rival for the Wales open-side berth for the last two years.
But Gatland reveals he is considering playing Dan Lydiate at number seven, a position he has played for his French club Racing Metro this season.
Fit-again Blues lock Bradley Davies, who has signed for London Wasps, is also an option for the New Zealander.
Gatland is ready to select a giant Wales back row to combat the Springboks trio of number eight Duane Vermeulen and flankers Willem Alberts and Francois Louw.
“We could shift Dan from blindside to open-side and bring in Bradley at number six to deal with Alberts,” said Gatland.
“It’s certainly something we are exploring.”
Warburton injured his shoulder in Wales’ 51-3 win over Scotland in the final game of the Six Nations, while full back Leigh Halfpenny dislocated his shoulder in the 29-18 defeat by England at Twickenham.
Wales will play the Springboks in two Test matches, in Durban on 14 June and Nelspruit on 21 June, with a warm-up match against Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth on 10 June.