Gethin Jenkins adds to injury woes for Wales before Rugby World Cup - Rugby News
Gethin Jenkins has become the latest injury victim for Wales and will miss the first match of the Rugby World Cup 2011. The prop has been declared unfit to participate in the opening match of RWC for Wales against South Africa on September 11. Jenkins is
said to be suffering from a calf injury which struck him back in 2010 against New Zealand. Welsh coach, Warren Gatland, told the media on August 16 that Jenkins was not 100 percent fit to participate in the opening game of forthcoming RWC, starting next month
in New Zealand.
Earlier, the Wales’ side had been hit by devastating injuries to their skipper Mathew Rees, full-back Morgan Stoddart and Gavin Henson. All these players are feared to miss the larger part of the global show due to sever blows and with the latest news of
Jenkins injury the list has been extended to four key players to miss some part of RWC 2011.
Jenkins was introduced in Wales lines back in 2003 against Romania and represented his national side in 76 international games so far. The veteran prop is considered one of the best players of the Welsh side at his position and has been representing Wales’
team regularly since his debut.
Jenkins has also played for the British and Irish Lions for four years and has got the chance to represent them in all three games played in 2005.
Warren Gatland expressed his disappointment with the news of Jenkins’ injury report and said that his unavailability is a matter of concern for them. Gatland said that, “Unfortunately Gethin is still not 100 per cent and that, obviously, is a concern to
us. We have had him re-scanned and there is some damage to the calf. He’s had an injection will see a specialist this week. Sadly, the injury will rule him out of consideration for the South African game.”
Welsh coach further said that, “He’s done a lot of work in terms of rehab over the summer, but there is still a problem. It’s not right. We will have to wait and see how things develop.”
However, Gatland is hopeful that the prop will be fit to participate in the remaining matches of RWC 2011.
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