Wales pair Jones and Williams pull out

Cardiff Blues lock Deiniol Jones and hooker Gareth Williams have been forced to withdraw from Wales’ RBS 6 Nations squad through injury.

Jones damaged his ribs during the first half of Wales’ 26-20 defeat by France on Friday night while Williams has been struggling with a knee injury since the win against Scotland more than a fortnight ago.

Head coach Warren Gatland has decided not to replace the injured pair at this stage and to keep the Wales training squad at 32 players.

Gatland will release 14 players back to their regions after training tomorrow, making them available for Magners League selection at the weekend.

Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips, an unused replacement against France, will be anxious to put pressure on Richie Rees and prove he is back on top form after a four-month injury lay-off with a performance against Edinburgh.

Dragons lock Luke Charteris, who replaced Jones off the bench on Friday, and Ospreys second row Ian Gough return to the Magners League with a chance to press their claims ahead of Wales’ clash with Ireland.

Wales’ three England-based players – Sale pair Dwayne Peel and Eifion Lewis-Roberts plus Saracens prop Rhys Gill – will also be available for Guinness Premiership action.

Released players: Matthew Rees, Ken Owens, Jonathan Davies (Scarlets); Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons); Mike Phillips, Andrew Bishop, Dan Biggar, Tom Prydie, Kristian Phillips, Ian Gough (Ospreys); Sam Warburton, Tom Shanklin, Tom James (Cardiff Blues); Dwayne Peel, Eifion Lewis-Roberts (Sale Sharks); Rhys Gill (Saracens).