WALES centre Jonathan Davies will miss the Six Nations after knee surgery while fellow Scarlets back Rhys Patchell also faces a lengthy lay-off after the World Cup.

Lions ace Davies suffered an injury when setting up a crucial try for Josh Adams in the group stage win against Fiji.

The 31-year-old missed the quarter-final win against France but returned to face South Africa and New Zealand.

However, he is now out for six months after going under the knife and will not be available for new Wales boss Wayne Pivac.

Fly-half Patchell will be out for between 12 and 16 weeks after a blow against the All Blacks in the bronze match.

That leaves him a major doubt for the Six Nations, which starts with a game against Italy in Cardiff on February 1.

Wales face the Barbarians at Principality Stadium on Saturday, November 30 and the absence of Patchell could lead to a recall for Dragons fly-half Sam Davies.

Pivac will not have the services of Dan Biggar, as the game is outside World Rugby's Test window. That leaves Cardiff Blues playmaker Jarrod Evans, who missed out to Patchell for the World Cup, as favourite to start at 10.

The loss of Davies leaves Owen Watkin and Hadleigh Parkes likely to join forces in midfield, although Scott Williams, Owen Lane, Tyler Morgan and Willis Halaholo, who has recently qualified on residency, are other options.