The Scarlets have hit a front row crisis after losing two tight head props with suspected broken arms in their 17-17 Magners League draw with Leinster.
Both Peter Edwards and Fijian skipper Deacon Manu were taken to hospital after the game at Parc y Scarlets on Friday night, joining Wales tight head Rhys Thomas on the injury list.
"Three of our first string tight heads are now not available to us. We are going to have to re-group and see what options we have to move forward," said Scarlets coach Nigel Davies.
"Over the course of the season we are going to have ups and downs with results, and we weren't happy with the result against Leinster because it was a game we should have won. But our biggest concern at the moment for us are the injuries."
Edwards suffered a suspected broken fore-arm in the first half and then his replacement, Manu, was carried off in the second half after his right arm collided with the head of a Leinster player.
With Thomas two weeks away from any potential return to action it looks as though the Scarlets could have to mix and match their remaining front row forwards - Iestyn Thomas, Phil John, Richard Jones and Simon Gardiner. Of that quartet, only Wales Under 20 cap Gardiner is a recognised tight head.
The Scarlets face back-to-back games against their Magners League rivals Benetton Treviso over the next two weeks in Pool 5 of the Heineken Cup. They start in Treviso, a venue at which they have already lost this season.
"Benetton Treviso are a very good side, as their results after they beat us at the start of the season have proven. They are very physical and have a lot of good quality players," said Davies. They have good, hard runners and will look to take the game to us."
