Dwayne Peel has sustained a groin strain in training and will be out for at least three weeks.
Peel now faces a race against time to be fit for Wales’ Invesco Series in November
The Sale Sharks scrum-half, 27, will miss vital game time leading up to Wales’ first Test against New Zealand on 7 November.
Peel has made 69 appearence for his country since his debut in 2001 but has had a difficult year after he picked up a hamstring injury during the Six Nations.
That injury meant he missed the chance to add to his Lions caps from 2005 and compatriot Mike Phillips became a leading figure during the summer tour to South Africa.
Phillips’ power, pace and speed of thought have put him in the box seat for the starting spot in the autumn with Blues pivot Gareth Cooper also in the frame for selection.
