Cardiff Blues have signed Olly Robinson from Bristol on a short-term contract to cover back-row in replacement for the injured players.
Robinson, 26, is the son of Andy Robinson, former open-side for England, British and Irish Lions, who also coached England, Scotland and Bristol.
Sam Warburton, Ellis Jenkins and James Botham are sidelined and Robinson could be included when Blues go to Connacht in the Pro14 on Saturday.
He has played 55 games for Bristol, which include the games in the Aviva Premiership. Bristol was committed to the Championship at the end of 2016-17 and is now bidding to return to English rugby’s top flight.
Wales hooker Kristian Dacey is also set to return for Cardiff Blues for the Pro14 trip to Connacht – Dacey was the starting hooker for Wales during the summer tour victory against Tonga but has missed Cardiff Blues’ first three defeats of the season after suffering an injury to the groin.
“Kristian will be involved this weekend,” said Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson. It is great to see him back in rugby. We know what a great player he is in terms of what he did in the summer tour. He has worked his way up in the pecking order and we have missed having the bulk of hookers to choose from.”
Cardiff Blues captain Gethin Jenkins is yet to make a comeback in a few weeks from injury, but flanker Ollie Robinson is available after signing on a short-term loan from Bristol.
Wilson also said new center Jack Roberts is to be included in the line-up for the Blues to make his make debut after signing from Leicester in the summer, while United States international Blaine Scully is fit again after dislocating his elbow in April.