Wales' Taulupe Faletau will miss the opening three games of their Six Nations campaign with a calf injury.

The number eight, who also missed his country's Autumn internationals with a knee problem, suffered the injury during Cardiff Blues' clash with Ospreys on January 1.

Wales are already without captain Jac Morgan and centre Max Llewellyn for the start of the Six Nations due to injury.

And Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl confirmed Faletau would miss Wales' opener against England on February 7, as well as their back-to-back home games against France (February 15) and Scotland (February 21).

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"It's not clear on his return, but we're definitely looking at the middle of the Six Nations, into our Leinster game [on February 27]," Van Zyl said.

"That is the target, we will see how it goes."

Wales boss Steve Tandy will name his Six Nations squad on January 20, with Aaron Wainwright, Olly Cracknell and Taine Plumtree potential candidates to replace Faletau.