More Welsh Problems on Eve of Six Nations Opener
As if things weren’t bad enough for Wales given that they had already experienced one of the worst possible of final week preparations before a Six Nations Championship, Gethin Jenkins has sustained a calf injury and will not be able to play in the opening match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Welsh rugby side without Gethin Jenkins is like Welsh rarebit without the cheese. In many eyes he is Wales; certainly he is the epitome of Welsh rugby at its very best. Listen to any commentary in any Wales match and the name that you will hear most often is the name Gethin Jenkins. Mind you, the way most commentators pronounce it makes it sound like Catherine Jenkins, but she is the pretty lady who led the green and red bedecked fans with their red dragons, daffodils and leeks into a tear jerking rendition of ‘Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’. If it were passion alone that won a rugby game, then Wales would win every one they played.
Gethin Jenkins has been capped for Wales seventy two times. He failed a fitness test just before setting off to their hotel near Twickenham. Paul James will fill the gap, at least he will play loosehead prop, for in Welsh hearts the gap cannot be filled. Apart from the loss of one of their key players, the blow to Welsh morale will be devastating. The Welsh chief coach Warren Gatland tried to make little of the loss saying the Paul James was one of the best props around, but the gloom is apparent.
Now Wales has lost any advantage that they previously had over England, and the game on Saturday could go either way. The bookies don’t think so though; England is now the clear favourite at 5/1 with Sporting Bet.
All odds correct at time of writing and are subject to change
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