Halfpenny a doubt for Wales

Wales were today braced for a fresh injury blow ahead of their RBS 6 Nations opener against England in Cardiff.

Wing Leigh Halfpenny suffered an ankle injury during training yesterday, and is thought to be a major doubt for the game.

Halfpenny missed Wales’ entire autumn Test series this season because of ankle trouble, but he was set to make an eagerly-awaited comeback at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night.

It is understood the 17-times capped Halfpenny was due to undergo a scan last night, although there has so far been no official comment from the Welsh Rugby Union.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is already without injured Scarlets wing George North, meaning a possible call-up for Morgan Stoddart if Halfpenny is sidelined.

Gatland’s list of absentees currently includes injured props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones, centres Tom Shanklin and Andrew Bishop, plus banned scrum-half Richie Rees. He is due to announce his team tomorrow.

Shaun Edwards, meanwhile, has urged Wales to tighten up their defence from turnover ball as they prepare for the threat of England’s strike-runners.

Wales are aiming to halt a run of seven Tests without a win, although England have not triumphed in Cardiff since they were crowned 2003 world champions under current manager Martin Johnson’s captaincy.

But if Johnson’s men are to end that barren run in the Welsh capital, England’s dangerous back three of Ben Foden, Chris Ashton and Mark Cueto could play significant roles.

And the warning signals have not by-passed Wales defence specialist Edwards.

He said: “England were pretty lethal from turnover ball against Australia - that was probably the performance of the home nations during the autumn series.

“England’s back three can be lethal from turnover ball, and it is something we need to improve our defence on.

“It was definitely our Achilles heel in the autumn.

“When we turned the ball over, we were punished by some pretty special teams. We have to react more quickly than we did in the autumn.”

Full-back Lee Byrne, meanwhile, is relishing the prospect of tackling England in a clash that will set the Six Nations tone for both countries.

He said: “Friday night at the Millennium Stadium – it doesn’t get much bigger than this, and the boys are chomping at the bit now to get it on.

“The first game is always the important one to win to get the momentum going. In 2008, we won at Twickenham, which gave us confidence going into all our other Six Nations games that year.

“And we need to start winning these games – going close is not good enough any more. We are on a bit of a losing run at the moment, especially at home, so we want to change that on Friday.”