Ibanez is a former French national team captain

Wasps' faltering season has suffered another setback after hooker and club captain Rafael Ibanez was ruled out of action for a further six weeks.

A statement said the Frenchman had seen a specialist "following a series of concussions and knocks to the head", without referring to a specific game.

"He will remain club captain throughout this time but not be fit for selection," continued the statement.

"He will however continue to work with the squad throughout the six weeks."

Ibanez has not featured for Wasps since his was substituted in the Premiership loss to Sale on 23 November.

Prop Pat Barnard (neck) and lock Tom Palmer (calf) are also on Wasps' injury list while flanker Joe Worsley has resumed training after picking up an ankle injury against Newcastle last month.

The reigning Guinness Premiership champions, who lost former skipper Lawrence Dallaglio to retirement and Fraser Waters to Treviso in the summer, have made a poor start to the season.

They lie ninth in the Premiership table with just two wins from their opening eight games and are second in their Heineken Cup group, six points behind Leinster.

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