 Matthew Rees is stretchered off after half an hour of Wales v Australia
Shane Williams and Matthew Rees are injury concerns after Wales' 12-33 hammering by Australia, but Leigh Halfpenny's problem is not serious. All three went off in a disastrous Wales first half against Australia at the Millennium Stadium. Williams lasted just five minutes before departing holding a hamstring. He was soon followed by fellow winger Leigh Halfpenny (dead leg), then hooker Rees was stretchered off on 30 minutes with a groin problem. Williams' injury will concern the Ospreys and Rees' will trouble the Scarlets, with big Magners League and Heineken Cup games looming.  | 606: DEBATE |
Wales coach Warren Gatland said after the game that the injury to British and Irish Lions hooker Rees was concerning. "It looks like it's a groin injury but we'll wait until [Sunday] before we finalise whether it's a tear and how long he's going to be out for," Gatland said. Scrum-half Mike Phillips is battling to overcome an ankle ligament problem ahead of Wales' next game, against England at Twickenham on 6 February.  A devastated Shane Williams is led off after just five minutes of the game |
Two more Lions and Ospreys stars - full-back Lee Byrne and prop Adam Jones - should be back in action by then, though. Byrne is expected back early in the new year following a foot injury that has sidelined him from Test rugby since this summer's Lions tour. Tight-head prop Jones - the player Wales missed more than any other during their autumn internationals - is targeting a probable comeback from shoulder surgery around Christmas. Jones could play for the Ospreys against Heineken Cup opponents Viadana on 19 December, but a more likely return date is a Boxing Day Magners League appointment with the Scarlets. Wales will also hope to have Ian Evans, Mark Jones, Dafydd Jones, Morgan Stoddart and Gavin Henson back to full fitness to challenge for Six Nations places.
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