Captain Ryan Jones and Leigh Halfpenny are out for Wales
Welsh coach Warren Gatland received a further blow after it was confirmed that captain Ryan Jones and Leigh Halfpenny would miss games in the Autumn Internationals.
Jones will not play Australia on Saturday, 6 November after tearing his calf muscle. The back-row forward is expected to return for the following game against South Africa on Saturday, 13 November.
Hooker Matthew Rees will now lead out Wales against Australia in the opening game. Captain Jones is expected to be replaced by his team-mate Jonathan Thomas, who has covered for the forward for much of the season at the Ospreys.
Halfpenny’s injury is more serious, and he will be ruled out of all four games including the Tests against Fiji and the All Blacks. The Cardiff winger damaged ligaments in his ankle and the Dragons’ Aled Brew has been called up as a potential replacement,
but is unlikely to play due to his inexperience.
Instead, the versatile James Hook may be considered to play in the full-back position. Tom Prydie can also play in the position, but neither of the Ospreys backs have played there this season. Most likely, Halfpenny will be replaced by Prydie, who will be
keen to make an impression against Australia in the opening fixture.
Halfpenny’s injury will be a concern to Gatland. The player was tipped to revert to the full-back position in the absence of Lee Byrne, who fractured his hand in the Ospreys Magners League defeat to Glasgow on Sunday, 24 October.
Wales has been unlucky with injuries. British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts is also suffering from a long-term injury, while Rob McCusker will undergo a hernia operation.
Wales also carries doubt surrounding George North, Bradley Davies and Richie Rees, though all three players are expected to be able to train with the squad later this week.
Australia will go into the match as favourites, especially considering the number of players Wales has lost in the build up to the internationals.
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