Jenkins Out for Wales

Wales will be without Gethin Jenkins for the next five weeks with a knee injury, meaning the prop will miss part of the Six Nations Championship.

And both fly-half Rhys Priestland (knee) and Dan Lydiate (ankle) are likely to miss the opener against Ireland on Sunday, 5 February.

"Gethin is struggling and could be out for four to five weeks," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

"Rhys will be struggling for the first game. We're assessing him day by day."

Lydiate, who was helped off the field playing for Newport Gwent Dragons last weekend, is struggling but there is more encouraging news on centre Jamie Roberts (knee).

"Dan Lydiate is touch and go. We're hoping Jamie Roberts will be OK," said Gatland.

Gatland admitted the loss of Jenkins and Priestland, who emerged as one of the stars of last year's World Cup, will be a major blow.

Gethin is a huge loss for us for potentially the first two games of the tournamentWarren Gatland

"Gethin is a huge loss for us for potentially the first two games of the tournament," he said.

"He's been playing exceptionally well for the Blues in the last month.

"He's a world class player. He's got a very good rugby brain and is able to asses things on the field. He's almost like a coach on the field.

"You get a lot of information from him at half-time, what's going right or wrong, tactically where we need to change.

"Rhys was probably the find, if not the best, fly-half at the World Cup. He really does fit the type of game we want to play.

"His kicking game and vision are excellent. He stretches opposition defences as well because he's not afraid to run.

"There's a very good balance to his game. You can't underestimate the space he created for our midfield at the World Cup.

"He was one of the reasons we saw some really big performances from Jamie Roberts, Jon Davies and Scott Williams. He will be a big loss for us.

"But there's experience to come in with James Hook and we may look at Gavin Henson in that position too."

Gatland revealed Leigh Halfpenny is likely to take over the kicking duties in Priestland's absence.

Jenkins limped off during the Blues' Heineken Cup win over Racing Metro on Saturday.

He has stayed behind in Wales to have treatment but was set to go to Poland by the end of the week.

Priestland and Lydiate were injured during their European matches, but both players will train in Poland.

Roberts is progressing well and will also continue his rehabilitation on Eastern European soil.

Clermont full-back Lee Byrne, who left the field with a thumb injury playing for Clermont Auvergne at the weekend, is able to take a full part in the camp.

Jenkins lasted just 32 minutes of the Blues' 36-30 win before being replaced and Baber revealed t the injury was a cause for concern.

Lydiate, who has been plagued by ankle trouble over recent months, was helped off the field as the Dragons beat Cavalieri Prato 45-16 in the Amlin Cup.

Gatland Includes "Underdone" Henson

Wales coach Warren Gatland admits Gavin Henson is not at the top of his game despite including him in his 35-man training squad.

Henson travels with the squad to the Sparla ice chambers in Poland on Sunday for a seven day training camp.

But he has only played twice for Wales since 2009 and is included after just three appearances for Cardiff Blues this season.

"I think he is definitely underdone at the moment," said Gatland.

"It just gives us a chance, particularly going to Poland next week, to have another look at him."

Gatland has included six uncapped players - teenage Blues wing Harry Robinson, Ospreys pair Ashley Beck and Rhys Webb and Scarlets trio Rhodri Jones, Liam Williams and Lou Reed.

And he is expected to reduce the squad when Wales return from Poland.

"We selected a larger squad to create some competition and also to look at one or two experienced players along with some of the younger players," added the New Zealander.

"So that's why we have included Gavin for us as coaches to have a good look at him.

"I think he has done OK without being spectacular. He was unfortunate with the game he was injured in before the World Cup.

"We thought the first 20 minutes he'd been looking sharp.

"It's an opportunity for us to have him in the camp and just to see where he is at.

"We can all have a look at games. It's really for the coaches to get a bit of a hands on with Gavin, have a chat to him, see where he is physically, just to see where he is mentally and look at him again back in our own environment."

Henson last played for Wales in the 19-9 defeat to England in a World Cup warm-up game in August.

But he dislocated his wrist in the first-half of that match ruling him out out of contention for the World Cup.

WALES SQUAD

Backs: Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Preistland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Gavin Henson (Cardiff Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lee Bryne (Clermont Auvergne)

Forwards: Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Lou Reed (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (capt, Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks).

Roberts Tweets Blue News

Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts has dismissed rumours he will join Toulouse in the summer of 2012.

Reports suggested the Wales and British and Irish Lion has been targeted by the French Top 14 club.

But on Twitter, medical student Roberts, 25, said: "Rumours in the press this morning about a move to France.

"I'm certainly a Cardiff Blue next season and will hopefully graduate as a doctor!"

Roberts, who has a contract with the Blues until the end of the 2012/13 season, is among a number of high-profile Wales players to be linked with possible moves to French rugby.

James Hook (Perpignan), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne) and Mike Phillips (Bayonne) are already plying their trade in France.

Newport Gwent Dragons lock Luke Charteris, props Adam Jones (Ospreys) and Gethin Jenkins (Blues) have also been the subject of speculation over their club futures.

Neil Jenkins Agrees Wales Deal

Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins has agreed to become a member of staff at the Welsh Rugby Union.

The 40-year-old is Wales' record Test scorer with 1,049 points and is the latest coach to sign a new contract.

Attack coach Rob Howley and defence coach Shaun Edwards have both committed long-term and forwards coach Robin McBryde has also had his deal extended.

"Neil is a unique individual, with a unique set of skills," said WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis.

"He's one of the great points-scorers of all time, an amazing coach, an amazing mentor and you couldn't meet a nicer, more honest man."

Howley has signed a new contract with Wales until mid-2016, while Edwards and head coach Warren Gatland will also remain until at least the end of the 2015 World Cup.

Former Wales and Scarlets hooker McBryde is now contracted until the end of the 2011-12 season.

England assistant and forwards coach Graham Rowntree, who worked alongside Gatland, Edwards and Howley on the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, had been linked with a position in the Wales backroom staff.

But Gatland praised McBryde's contribution. "Robin has signed up to the end of the season and we'll make a decision on his future after that," he said.

"It is great Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards have committed themselves to Wales and two of them are on full-time staff at the moment.

"But I want to give some credit to Robin McBryde and the great job he has done.

"As a young coach he has improved enormously in the last two or three seasons and I don't think you throw away that experience that he has developed over the last five or six years.

"I would hate to see that investment of time and effort and energy lost to Welsh rugby.

"I'm very conscious of making sure he won't be left out in the cold."

Lewis admitted the WRU had needed to fend off admirers of a backroom team that saw Wales to fourth place in the recent World Cup.

"There's always been offers for all of our coaches consistently over the past four years and Neil is a person who will be in huge demand," Lewis added.

"That's why I'm so pleased we've secured his services for the foreseeable future."

Wales face Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 3 December in a replay of their World Cup bronze medal play-off.

Yachi Da for Wales Against Pumas

Wales recovered from a slow start to record a comfortable 28-13 victory against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium to give Warren Gatland's men the perfect send-off for the Rugby World Cup.

The Pumas made life difficult for Wales in the first half, completely dominating possession and territory but a lack of cutting edge proved costly.

Despite overwhelming Wales with a glut of possession, the Pumas only had a Felipe Contepomi penalty to show for their endeavour. A two-try salvo within the space of two minutes just before the break by Wales put the men in red firmly in command.

The second half proved a different proposition for the Pumas as they were left to play second fiddle to an improving Welsh side as a lack of match fitness began to take its toll. George North once again underlined his finishing prowess by scoring his sixth Test try in the dying stages of the match with James Hook's boot doing the rest of the damage.

The game began brightly for the Pumas even if Felipe Contepomi pulled a penalty attempt after his forwards had patiently dominated the opening exchanges through their powerful pack.

When Wales did eventually get their hands on the ball, the Pumas defence held firm to repel the home side's first serious sortie.

Argentina dominated the opening quarter with Contepomi pulling the strings expertly from outside half while the front row of Juan Figallo, Mario Ledesma and Rodrigo Roncero proving willing foot soldiers in the loose.

Wales finally had a sniff of the ball in the 23rd minute but winger Leigh Halfpenny saw his progress checked by the Pumas' suffocating defence.

Adam Jones was penalised for a side entry at a driving maul in the 29th minute. Contepomi used the upright to knock the ball over to give the Pumas a deserved lead as Wales continued to struggle to get a foothold on the game.

Contepomi had the chance to double the Pumas lead after second row Brad Davies was caught offside but he again missed a relatively easy chance.

He was made to pay dearly when Wales struck back with a double whammy to turn the match on its head.

When a scrum fell to pieces, Alun Wyn Jones picked up the pieces and sent Andy Powell clear. The Sale Sharks No 8 had an unhindered 30m run-in to the try-line from 35m.

Virtually from the re-start, Wales raced back downfield with George North running amok down the left hand touchline before passing infield to the supporting Alun Wyn Jones who coasted over from close range.

The one area which Wales held the upper hand in the first half, surprisingly it was the scrum, continued to dominate in the early stages of the second spell. The Pumas infringed at a set piece to gift Hook an easy three points to put Wales 17-3 ahead.

Hook put further distance between the two sides with his second successful penalty of the afternoon. From the kick-off the Pumas lost Juan Fernandez Lobbe to the sin bin after he took out Alun Wyn Jones in mid air.

Contepomi reduced the arrears with a straight forward penalty in front of the sticks but the Pumas legs began to wilt from the constant defensive strain they were being put under.

North was the recipient of a delightful inside ball from Jonathan Davies to burst over from 10m as Wales looked to finish strongly.

The Pumas finally used their lethal weapon, the driving maul, from a lineout and drove their pack towards the Welsh tryline. Eventually replacement prop Martin Scelzo found himself on the bottom of the heap to be awarded a try.

Hook had the final say with an easy penalty with the last kick of the match to ensure Wales head for New Zealand's World Cup in a positive frame of mind while Argentina will be aware they have to improved dramatically if they are going to emulate the stunning deeds from 2007 where they claimed the bronze medal.

Wales: Tries - Powell, AW Jones, North; Cons - Hook (2); Pens - Hook (3).

Argentina: Try - Scelzo; Con - Contepomi; Pens - Contepomi (2)

WALES: Lee Byrne (Aled Brew); Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts (Scott Williams), George North; James Hook, Tavis Knoyle (Lloyd Williams); Paul James, Richard Hibbard (Huw Bennett), Adam Jones (Ryan Bevington), Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate (Justin Tipuric), Martyn Williams (captain) (Jonathan Thomas), Andy Powell.

ARGENTINA 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Gonzalo Camacho, 10 Felipe Contepomi (c), 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Martin Scelzo, 18 Mariano Galarza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Agustin Figuerola, 21 Nicolas Sanchez, 22 Juan Imhoff

Jones Out for Clash with Pumas

Fly-half Stephen Jones has given Wales an injury scare after complaining of more calf problems before Saturday's final World Cup warm-up with Argentina.

Jones was due to start on the bench at the Millennium Stadium, and would won a record 101st cap had he played.

But Wales have erred on the side of caution and replaced the 33-year-old with Scarlets team-mate Scott Williams.

The same calf injury forced Jones to drop out of the side to face England in the first warm-up match in Twickenham.

Martyn Williams captains the side as another late injury-enforced change saw number eight Ryan Jones relinquishing his place.

Wales name their 30-man Cup party on Monday and Williams has been recalled to lead the team for the first time since November 2010.

Wales assistant coach Howley says the veteran flanker must help ensure Wales play at high-tempo against the Pumas.

"That's when you see Martyn Williams involved in the game," said Howley.

Howley did little to dispel Williams' thoughts, saying: "We want him to be a link I think its' really important... when you play against Argentina the tendency is [to have] a very stagnated game.

"We want to create a tempo, play with an intensity and obviously keep the ball in hand.

"And we need to get a link between the forwards and the backs and Martyn is crucial to that role and he has been for many, many seasons.

"When Martyn plays the game when the intensity and tempo is up, that's when you see Martyn Williams involved in the game and we just have to make sure that the game is like that."

Howley also says the emergence of youthful back-row talents Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Danny Lydiate and Toby Faletau has brought the best out of Williams and Ryan Jones in summer training.

"Ryan Jones was absolutely outstanding and Martyn Williams likewise [in Wales' training camps]," said Howley.

"They're old heads, they've been around the block a few times and they know what international rugby is about."

Williams returns after coming on as a replacement against New Zealand in November and having been overlooked for the Six Nations.

He is one of nine changes to the Wales side that beat England 19-9in Cardiff last Saturday.

That came seven days after Warren Gatland's men lost 23-19 at Twickenham in the first of three warm-up games.

Gatland will announce Wales' 30-man squad for the World Cup on Monday 22 August, two days after the Argentina match.

Williams' opportunities with Wales have been limited due to the emergence of Cardiff Blues team-mate Sam Warburton.

Warburton has captained Wales in previous three matches due to the absence of regular skipper Matthew Rees, who will miss the World Cup due to injury.

Wales face South Africa in their opening pool game on Sunday, 11 September in Wellington.

TEAMS

Wales: L Byrne (Clermont Auvergne); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); J Hook (Perpignan), T Knoyle (Scarlets); P James (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), A-W Jones (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), M Williams (Cardiff Blues, capt), A Powell (Sale).

Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), R Bevington (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Scarlets), A Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Argentina: Martin Rodriguez; Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Gonzalo Camacho; Felipe Contepomi (capt), Nicolas Vergallo; Rodrigo Roncero, Mario Ledesma, Juan Figallo, Manuel Carizza, Patricio Albacete, Julio Farias Cabello, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Fernandez Lobbe.

Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Martin Scelzo, Mariano Galarza, Alejandro Campos, Alfredo Lalanne, Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Imhoff.

Shanklin Forced to Call it a Day

Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin's career is over after failing to recover from a knee injury.

The 2005 and 2008 Wales Grand Slam winner underwent surgery in January, having suffered previous knee problems.

But the 2005 British and Irish Lion in New Zealand has been forced to admit defeat in his battle for fitness.

Shanklin, 31, had hoped to return, but concedes: "I had an operation in January to see if we could fix the problem and it hasn't worked."

He played throughout the 2010 autumn series for Wales, but his season came to a sudden halt in early January after pulling up in a Magners League match against Aironi.

Scans revealed the severity of the injury, forcing Shanklin, whose career has been blighted by knee problems, to go under the surgeon's knife once again.

Shanklin, who missed the 2009 Lions tour to world champions South Africa because of a shoulder injury, scored 20 tries in his 70 Wales caps since his international debut in Japan in 2001.

He joined the Blues from English side Saracens in 2003 and claimed 28 touchdowns in 114 appearances for the Welsh region.

Shanklin added: "My knee isn't too bad, it's ok to walk and cycle and to do everyday things, but with regards to playing rugby: accelerating, changing direction, weight lifting, it's not too good.

It isn't a shock, and I've come to terms that I'll never play again Tom Shanklin

"I had an operation in January to see if we could fix the problem and it hasn't worked.

"It's bone on bone on my knee which has restricted me from doing a lot of things and I'm going to have to retire from the game.

"The advice from Rhys Williams the surgeon was to retire. Rhys knows the inside of my knee pretty well having done three or four operations on it.

"It was down to me to decide if I can continue or not, but I can't go on, as it's too sore and it's a pretty black and white situation.

"I can't fully function with it and I need to start taking account of my body and start listening to it.

"I'd like to thank not only Rhys for all his work, but all the Blues medical team who have been excellent in all they have done to keep me on the field for this long.

"I've had a history with a bad knee, but since 2005 it hasn't really troubled me. I've managed to carry on and continue until I injured it again January. I was aware at the time that it could end my career.

"A lot of the decision on whether I would retire was down to how my knee would recover and how I felt.

"I've now had time to take it on board, so it isn't a shock, and I've come to terms that I'll never play again.

"This summer I will be definitely spending more time at home with the family and enjoying my weekends.

"I'll still be watching the Blues and Wales but I'll be able to relax and maybe have a beer or two and watch some games with my mates.

"After that I'll be looking to get a job in the real world, which is a little bit daunting, but happens to all rugby players after they finish."