Jenkins and Balshaw to miss Six Nations start

ENGLAND and Wales are both counting the cost of injuries to key players ahead of the RBS Six Nations Championship.

Wales have lost international record points-scorer Neil Jenkins but the blow to England could be even greater after a fresh injury to Iain Balshaw.

Jenkins is almost certainly out of the opening of the Six Nations after fracturing his thumb in Pontypridd’s Parker Pen Challenge Cup win over Connacht on Saturday.

Llanelli’s Stephen Jones is the likely first-choice fly-half to face Italy in Rome on February 15, but losing the experience of Jenkins is another blow for coach Steve Hansen, who is already without centres Sonny Parker and Andy Marinos.

Pontypridd’s Parker has broken his arm while Newport’s Marinos has damaged a tendon in his foot.

Balshaw’s hopes of resuming his England career in the Six Nations have almost certainly been wrecked by his latest injury blow.

Balshaw could miss the entire tournament after Bath coach Mike Foley revealed that the full-back could be out for between six and 12 weeks after damaging his left shoulder.

The 23-year-old had an X-ray after suffering the injury during Saturday’s 24-18 Parker Pen Challenge Cup win over Montauban. Meanwhile, Scot centre Ben Hinshelwood has been ruled of the start of the Six Nations with a broken leg. Scotland team manager Dougie Morgan added: “It’s obviously very disappointing for Ben given how he was involved in the North America tour last summer plus our autumn Tests and how he featured in our Six Nations squad.”