Rees blow adds to Welsh injury woe

WALES are continuing to play a waiting game with their injured players ahead of Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.

But another name has been added to the confirmed list of absentees after hooker and former Wales captain Matthew Rees suffered a calf strain in training.

Rees is set to be sidelined for two weeks, which would also mean him missing the Millennium Stadium appointment with Scotland on Sunday week.

Rees, 31, had been in a battle for the number two shirt with Huw Bennett, although World Cup hooker Bennett was already expected to start in Dublin and win his 50th cap.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has already lost prop Gethin Jenkins, World Cup squad hooker Lloyd Burns and locks Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones due to injuries as they prepare for a rematch of their World Cup quarter-final against Ireland, this time at the Aviva.

And Rees’ injury is the latest blow for Gatland, with fitness doubts remaining over centre Jamie Roberts (knee), fly-half Rhys Priestland (knee) and flanker Dan Lydiate (ankle).

Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins said: “They are progressing, but how quickly we are not too sure. We will give them as much time as possible. We are hopeful all the injured players recover, but whether they make it is a matter of time. We will have a good idea of where we stand after today.”

It is thought uncapped 21-year-old Ospreys centre Ashley Beck has a strong chance of replacing Roberts, with James Hook the probable alternative to Priestland and Ryan Jones expected to feature in the back row if Lydiate is out.

Despite enjoying their most successful World Cup campaign for 24 years earlier this season, Wales arrive at the Six Nations having lost their last three Tests.

Gatland will announce his team for the Aviva encounter at midday tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Shane Williams has been hailed as “a Welsh rugby great” following reports he will retire from the sport later this year. Williams exited the Test arena in December, winning his 87th and final cap against Australia in Cardiff as he brought the curtain down on an international career that saw him score a Wales record of 58 tries.

The 34-year-old wing is under contract with the Ospreys until 2013, but BBC Sport Wales yesterday claimed Williams intends to retire completely at the end of this season.

Neither Williams nor the Ospreys have so far made any comment.