Wales suffer more front-row woe

Gethin Jenkins © Action Images

Wales suffered another front-row setback on Thursday with the announcement that Gethin Jenkins has pulled out of Saturday's Six Nations match against England at Twickenham after injuring a calf in training.

The vastly-experienced Jenkins, with five British and Irish Lions test caps and 72 for Wales, will be replaced in the starting lineup by Ospreys prop Paul James who has five caps.

Uncapped Rhys Gill has been drafted in as bench cover.

The news came a day after hooker Matthew Rees was ruled out with a groin injury and replaced by Gareth Williams, leaving only Adam Jones of what had originally been an all-Lions front row to take on the English.

England have their own front-row injury problems but their selected trio of Tim Payne, David Wilson and Dylan Hartley suddenly do not look so vulnerable for the 7pm (SA time) kickoff.

James, 27, made his debut against Romania seven years ago but was left out in the cold before winning his other four caps last November.

"Paul James has been one of the form props in the Welsh regions so far this season and we are confident he will be a more than able deputy for Gethin," Wales coach Warren Gatland said in a statement.

"Obviously, it's not ideal for us to lose Gethin at this stage and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Read more on the Six Nations page.

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