Wales speedster Lane ruled out of Six Nations

The 22-year-old had been one of Wayne Pivac's eight options out wide for the opener against Italy in Cardiff next Saturday after being named in the squad along with Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, George North, Josh Adams, Johnny McNicholl, Louis Rees-Zammit and Jonah Holmes.

However, strong-running Lane has been released after a hamstring injury in training and is set for further scans next week to assess the damage, although it is feared that he faces a lengthy lay-off.

The winger won his first cap against Ireland at Principality Stadium in August, scoring two tries in the World Cup warm-up encounter.

He was then a late call-up to the Wales squad for the knockout stages in Japan and started in the third-place play-off defeat to New Zealand.

Lane is no stranger to injury misfortune after a hand injury suffered in the Blues' Challenge Cup final win against Gloucester denied him a place on the summer tour in 2018, then a hamstring injury prevented him from featuring the following autumn.

Wales have not named a replacement, although Pivac will be watching to see if uncapped Rees-Zammit and three-times capped Holmes come through today's Gallagher Premiership games for Gloucester and Leicester respectively.

Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt, fit again after a calf niggle, and Scarlets speedster Steff Evans missed out on the Six Nations squad despite being named for the fixture against the Barbarians in November.

Full-back/wing Hallam Amos, who swapped Rodney Parade for Cardiff Arms Park last summer, was left out of the squad after suffering an ankle injury.

The 25-year-old from Monmouthshire, who featured twice in the World Cup, is expected to be fit in mid-February so could be called up if needed.

Pivac has plenty to ponder out wide – and revealed that he sees wing North as a "very exciting" option in midfield – but his options seem more straightforward at fly-half.

Injuries to Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell leave Dan Biggar as clear favourite to have 10 on his back with exciting Cardiff Blues playmaker Jarrod Evans his back-up.

Sam Davies' excellent form with the Dragons earned a call-up for the Baa Baas fixture but he was overlooked with Pivac preferring Gloucester's Owen Williams, who can play inside centre as well as fly-half.

"Dan is a world-class player. He was exceptional for us in the World Cup and his form has continued for Northampton," said skills coach Neil Jenkins.

"Jarrod is a young 10 who is developing. He was with us for our World Cup preparations and has kicked on and improved no end.

"He did well against the Barbarians so I'm hoping he can continue that progression, keep getting better, and keep on challenging Dan.

"Owen comes back in after a couple of years out. I like Owen, I think he's a very talented player who can play 10 or 12 if needed.

"He's an all-round talent so it's great to see him fit and hopefully he'll impress and put more pressure on the other two boys."