RBS SIX NATIONS - ENGLAND v WALES
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 6 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC ONE, BBC HD channel, Red Button and online, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, live text commentary and score updates on BBC Sport website

Adam Jones, Gareth Williams and Paul James at Wales scrum practice

Former Wales captain Gareth Thomas says the injury withdrawal of Gethin Jenkins against England is a major setback.

The British and Irish Lions prop's calf injury rules him out of Saturday's RBS Six Nations opener at Twickenham.

"What we lose in Gethin is not only... his work-rate, his scrummaging, but he also works well with [hooker] Gareth Williams," Thomas said.

"I know Gareth Williams, he's a great player, it's a big test for him tomorrow."

Jenkins' withdrawal follows the shoulder injury to his fellow Lion Matthew Rees, which saw Blues hooker Williams called for a rare start in the Wales number two shirt, with Adam Jones the other prop.

"I think he [Williams] wanted to be packing down - in a scrum that's going to be a big contest - next to Gethin, somebody who he works with [at the Blues] week in, week out.

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"I don't think people really understand how difficult the scrum is and for a hooker - he's a scrummaging hooker - I know he wants to be putting his arm around Gethin to get in the scrum.

"So now such a late change with [Ospreys prop] Paul James coming in is a bit disrupting and a bit nervy for him.

"I think Wales will still win, but it's going to be very tough."

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