"Significant setback" - Five players set to miss the start of the 2026 Six Nations

Here we examine five high-profile players whose fitness concerns could shape the early weeks of the championship.

Mack Hansen is facing a prolonged lay-off after undergoing foot surgery in early December, leaving him a doubt for the 2026 Six Nations. The 27-year-old first picked up the problem during the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, where it forced him to miss all three Tests.

Although he attempted a comeback, the injury flared up again during his only provincial appearance of the season against the Bulls in October. As a result, he was also absent from Ireland’s autumn internationals against New Zealand and Japan.

Hansen briefly returned at full-back against Australia, scoring a first-half hat-trick, but was withdrawn against South Africa a week later. The setback has confirmed the need for an extended rehabilitation period, and he is now expected to spend a significant spell on the sidelines as he works towards full fitness.

Wales captain Jac Morgan is set to miss the opening rounds of the 2026 Six Nations after dislocating his shoulder against Argentina in November. The 25-year-old flanker required surgery and is expected to be sidelined for four to five months, ruling him out of the early part of the tournament.

He will definitely miss Wales’ opening fixture away to England on 7 February, as well as home games against France and Scotland later that month.

Morgan’s rehabilitation will be closely monitored, with a potential return pencilled in for the closing stages of the championship. If his recovery progresses smoothly, he could yet feature in Wales’ final two matches against Ireland on 6 March and Italy on 14 March.

England lock George Martin remains sidelined by a persistent nerve problem in his shoulder that has kept him out of action for nearly a year. His last appearance came in round two of the previous Six Nations against France, and despite rest, the issue failed to resolve. Surgery in the summer ruled him out for the first half of the current campaign, but his recovery has been slower than hoped.

With head coach Steve Borthwick due to name his Six Nations squad in late January, time is running out for the 24-year-old to prove his fitness. The prolonged absence has been frustrating for Martin and his coaches, as ongoing complications continue to delay his return to competitive rugby.

France scrum-half Maxime Lucu is in danger of missing the start of the Six Nations after suffering a knee sprain while playing for Bordeaux-Bègles. The 32-year-old completed the full 80 minutes in their Top 14 victory over Racing 92 before the injury was confirmed. His club coach, Yannick Bru, acknowledged that the issue could rule him out of France’s championship opener against Ireland on 5 February in Paris.

Lucu had been expected to feature as back-up to the returning Antoine Dupont. Although the injury is not believed to be severe, its timing leaves France monitoring his recovery closely as they prepare to defend their Six Nations title.

England winger Tom Roebuck has spent several months on the sidelines after sustaining a toe injury during the 2025 Quilter Nations Series. The Sale player was hurt when his planted foot twisted awkwardly in a tackle against New Zealand, leaving him with a significant setback. He is now in a race against time to be fit for the start of the 2026 Six Nations.

Current projections suggest a possible return around the first or second weekend of the tournament, which begins with England hosting Wales on 7 February. However, the enforced lay-off threatens to interrupt his momentum at international level and could affect his chances of cementing a long-term place in the England squad.