Influential Wales hooker Ken Owens is set to miss the 2022 Six Nations as a back problem that ruled him out of the Autumn continues to persist.
The Mail Online have reported that 'his back injury could yet rule him out of the rest of the 2021-22 season.'
Owens, who has 82 Welsh caps and five for the Lions, played in all three Tests as Warren Gatland's tourists were beaten 2-1 by South Africa last summer.
Wales, who start their title defence against Ireland in Dublin on February 5, will also be without their captain Alun Wyn Jones.
The Ospreys second-row, the most capped player in rugby history, is unlikely to feature due to a shoulder injury suffered against New Zealand.
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Five Most OVERPAID Rugby Players In The World Right Now
#1. Handre Pollard (Montpellier) - £1,000,000 per year
Has the highest-paid player in the world flopped when on the pitch for Montpellier? No, but he's barely played despite earning more than double Harlequins and England star Marcus Smith (£480,000).
Only six starts and four replacement appearances during 2021 means the Springbok playmaker pocketed £100,000 per game or £2,061 per minute for the French club this calendar year.
Brilliant and absent almost in equal measure, Pollard departs GGL Stadium next summer after agreeing to a much lower contract to join Leicester Tigers.
Handre Pollard of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks) - £400,000
The powerhouse England centre played six times for Sale in 2021, scoring zero tries while earning around £850 for each minute he has been on the field.
Somehow, he managed to get a new contract taking his current deal up to 2023 despite the incoming salary cap restrictions.
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Taulupe Faletau (Bath RFC) - £475,000
The 86-times capped No 8 will join Cardiff next summer following a five-year stint at The Rec in which Faletau has pocketed close to £2.5m.
One of the most frustrating players in Bath history, Faletau was one of the most exciting back row players in the world game at times during his career.
However, injuries have seen the number 8 slowly regress as a player while up and coming youngsters such as Zach Mercer have left the club as Bath haven't been able to give them the pay rises their talent warrants.
Earning more than Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt combined shows just how much he is currently overpaid.
Taulupe Faletau during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
#4. Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) - £900,000
Toulon have developed the unfortunate habit of paying players ludicrous salaries in the last decade, but handing the Springbok powerhouse a big contract looked liked good business from the three-time European champions.
However, he's yet to step on the pitch for the men in red this season and earlier of the year was on the losing side six times in his nine appearances
Described as a 'handicap' by the club Toulon president, the 30-year-old powerhouse actually played more times for his country in 2021, making 12 appearances for the Springboks.
Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears) - £1,000,000
With the reduced salary cap restrictions set to come into effect, it looks highly likely that the highest paid player in the Gallagher Premiership will be moving on when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Capped 16-times by the All Blacks, Piutau is evidently a huge talent and was named in the Gallagher Premiership Team of the Season for the 2020/21 season and continues to be one of the game's great entertainers.
However, his form this season has dropped off a cliff and due to the huge salary he collects he must be due a little bit of criticism after scoring just one try in his 10 Premiership outings.
For the same money the fullback currently pockets per season, you could sign Adam Radwan, Louis Rees-Zammit and Freddie. Steward!
It's hard to see where he ends up next, but you'd imagine Japan is his best shot at securing a another bumper deal.
Charles Piutau of Bristol Bears on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Bristol Bears at Kingsholm Stadium on December 3 2021 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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