Wales could be without Louis Rees-Zammit against Ireland in Six Nations opener

Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has emerged as an injury doubt for Wales ahead of their Six Nations opener against Ireland on 4 February.

The 21-year-old is facing a race against time to be fit for the first round in Cardiff, after suffering an ankle injury during Gloucester’s Premiership defeat at Leicester on Christmas Eve.

His Cherries head coach George Skivington says he will miss their remaining domestic and European fixtures against Saracens, Leinster, Bordeaux-Begles and Exeter this month, but wouldn't predict his availability for Warren Gatland's side.

"He is walking around at the moment, which is good news, but [he] is definitely not going to be back any time soon," Skivington said.

"I have not got an exact date of return because it is going to be around that Six Nations period.

"From my point of view, I plan for him not to be here for a few weeks.

"I am not sure exactly what week of the Six Nations it is that he will or won’t get ready for, but he will not be playing for us in the next couple of weeks anyway.

"He has been scanned. The medics are on top of it. I just know he is not going to be here for the Six Nations, and therefore it’s up to Wales to work out whether he is going to play for them."

Rees-Zammit, who has won 22 caps, would be a major attacking weapon for Gatland.

His try-scoring prowess and game-breaking ability has been showcased during an international career that also saw him gain British and Irish Lions selection for the 2021 South Africa tour.

Skivington added: "I am being absolutely honest from my point of view. I know he is not available for me until that Six Nations period, and I am moving on.

"I am hoping he will be available for some point of the Six Nations and beyond that. I have so many things