WALES will be without number eight Taulupe Faletau and lock Luke Charteris for their Six Nations opener at Italy on Sunday.

The Bath pair have been ruled out of the Rome date with knee and hand injuries respectively but the national management team are hopeful of them being available for the round two meeting with champions England in Cardiff.

Asked about Faletau at the Wales training base, forwards coach Robin McBryde said: "He is still progressing. It is still early days. Everything is heading in the right direction there, really.

"(Fit) for this week? No, it will be too early this week."

And on Charteris, McBryde added: "He has a slight fracture in his hand, so he has been ruled out for this weekend as well. Hopefully, he will be fit for the following week."

The injuries mean that Newport Gwent Dragons lock Cory Hill could feature on the bench in Italy, Jake Ball partnering Alun Wyn Jones, while uncapped Wasps flanker Thomas Young is an option as back row cover.