Jenkins' absence weakens Welsh
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Your support makes all the difference.To lose one of your three Lions in the front-row in the run-up to a Twickenham showdown might be considered unfortunate. To lose two is downright careless. Wales will be praying the withdrawal of Gethin Jenkins does not prove downright calamitous.
How Martin Johnson must have relished the news of the loose-head's withdrawal from the Six Nations opener when it came through yesterday. Because of the long-term injuries to Andrew Sheridan, Phil Vickery and others, the home scrum was perceived to be a weakness tomorrow; particularly as Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Adam Jones all represented the British Isles with such aplomb in South Africa last summer.
Now only Jones remains. And the task of Tim Payne, Dylan Hartley and David Wilson has eased considerably.
Jenkins joined Rees – who pulled out with a groin injury on Wednesday – on the sicklist because of a calf problem. His absence is a huge blow to Gatland. The 29-year-old is an integral part of the team he has captained in the past. Jenkins is regarded as one of the best props in the world, because of his influence both in the set-piece and the loose. The fears are that the injury may keep him out for a few weeks, making him a doubt for the match against Scotland next weekend.
For now, however, Welsh concentration is solely on England. They waited as long as they could for Jenkins's fitness to improve but eventually had to admit defeat. Gatland tried to put a brave face on it. "Obviously, it is not ideal for us to lose Gethin at this stage, and we wish him a speedy recovery," said the Kiwi. "Paul James has been one of the form props in the Welsh regions this season, and we are confident he will be a more than able deputy."
Because of Jones's long-term shoulder injury, James played all four autumn Tests at tight-head. But he does normally play at loose-head. As Gatland pointed out, the 27-year-old has been in fine nick at regional level of late, as has Rees's replacement Gareth Williams. But this is clearly a massive step up and the bare statistics will not make happy reading for Gatland.
Jenkins has 72 caps, James five. Rees has 34 caps, Williams three. Jenkins is 19st, James 17st 2lb. Rees is 17st 2lb, Williams, 15st 4lb. That means within 24 hours, Wales lost 98 caps and almost four stone from their front-row.
English optimism may have been raised still further by the call-up of Rhys Gill to take James's place on the bench. The 23-year-old is uncapped and only last May was released by Cardiff Blues. But the loose-head from the Rhondda valleys has established himself at Saracens this season and Gatland is known to rate him highly.
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