Wales hooker Burns to miss Six Nations

Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Lloyd Burns faces a three-month lay-off with a neck injury that will force him to miss Wales' entire Six Nations campaign.

The 27-year-old, who has won seven international caps, featured for Wales at last year's World Cup but is now expected to be sidelined until mid-April. The best rugby union betting odds reflect the fact his loss will be a blow to the side.

"Lloyd has been advised to withdraw from rugby for at least three months in order to fully rehab his neck," confirmed Dragons' rugby director Robert Beale.

"We are obviously disappointed for Lloyd, particularly with the Six Nations coming up, but Lloyd's safety and welfare has to be paramount."

Wales coach Warren Gatland, who will confirm his Six Nations squad later this month, has a wealth of experience and talent to choose from at hooker. Huw Bennett and Ken Owens were involved in the World Cup but Matthew Rees and Richard Hibbard, who missed the tournament because of injury, are now playing again.

Burns' Dragons and Wales colleague, lock Luke Charteris, is also set to miss the Six Nations because of injury, while Charteris' second-row colleague Alun-Wyn Jones is recovering from a toe problem that has threatened his participation.

Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on 5th February.

Meanwhile, flanker Sam Warburton says he will understand if he is not named as captain for the Six Nations.

He impressed when handed the armband at the World Cup after Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees suffered an injury. However, Rees is now back in action, and Warburton admitted: "Matthew was captain for the last Six Nations campaign and did a brilliant job. It was only bad luck why he didn't end up being captain for the World Cup.

"If I did it as a temporary thing I could completely understand that."