Rugby:Matthew Rees has vowed to lead from the front when he captains Wales in their opening autumn Test match against Australia next week. But the Scarlets hooker will skipper an injury-hit team after Wales' casualty count climbed today with the loss of two more British and Irish Lions.
Fullback Lee Byrne had already been ruled out of the first three November international appointments with Australia, South Africa and Fiji after breaking his hand while on Magners League duty for the Ospreys.
Byrne’s Ospreys colleague Ryan Jones, Wales captain last season and firm favourite to retain the post this autumn, will also miss the Wallabies clash because of a torn calf muscle.
A decision on Jones’ availability, or otherwise, for the remaining November fixtures will be made after Australia’s Millennium Stadium visit.
Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny, meanwhile, is to leave the Wales squad after suffering ankle ligament damage that will sideline him for three to four weeks. Halfpenny, a strong contender to deputise for Byrne, has been replaced by three times-capped Newport Gwent Dragons wing Aled Brew.
Wales boss Warren Gatland has so far not summoned a replacement for injured back-row forwards Jones and Rob McCusker, although there is speculation that Wasps number eight Andy Powell could be called up sooner, rather than later.
Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins, meanwhile, has welcomed the prospect of Gavin Henson making his return to rugby union. Saracens could complete a deal by the end of this week that would see 28-year-old Henson linking up with them from the Ospreys.
Henson, who has not played for 19 months after going on unpaid leave from the Swansea-based Ospreys, trained with Saracens yesterday.
If the move is rubber-stamped, centre Henson’s arrival at Vicarage Road would also give Saracens additional cover in the outhalf position after their South African number 10 Derick Hougaard suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during the Heineken Cup clash against Leinster earlier this month.
Saracens still need to reach an agreement with the Ospreys, who are likely to want compensation for any Henson move, given that he is under contract with them until next May. He is also currently appearing on the Strictly Come Dancing series, a commitment that could last until Christmas.
Jenkins said: “Gav is a fantastic player, and getting back involved in the game, good luck to him. We want our best players playing, and Gav is certainly one of those.
“If he does get back on the park, good on him, and hopefully we will see him soon at some point.”