Jenkins pulls out of Wales rugby squad

02-04-2010

CARDIFF — Wales lost a second member of their first choice front-row for Saturday's Six Nations opener against England when prop Gethin Jenkins withdrew Thursday because of a hamstring injury.

Jenkins, who suffered the injury while training, will be replaced in the Twickenham starting line-up by Ospreys prop Paul James with uncapped Saracens front-row Rhys Gill taking James's place on the bench.

Wales had been planning to field an all British and Irish Lions front row against England.

But Jenkins's withdrawal came just a day after hooker Matthew Rees was left out of the side because of a groin injury. But prop Adam Jones is still fit.

"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 Thursday.

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

Jenkins will remain in the Wales camp and his injury will be re-assessed next week.

Revised Wales team to play England at Twickenham on Saturday (1700GMT)

(15-1)

Lee Byrne; Tom James, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell; Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones; Adam Jones, Gareth Williams, Paul James

Replacements: Huw Bennett, Rhys Gill, Bradley Davies, Jonathan Thomas, Richard Rees, Andrew Bishop, Leigh Halfpenny