Davies and Rees likely to be fit for injury-hit Wales

Published on 20/11/2012 02:33

Injury-hit Wales have been handed a boost with centre Jonathan Davies and hooker Matthew Rees set to be available for this weekend’s meeting with New Zealand.

Scarlets three-quarter Davies missed the defeats to Argentina and Samoa due to a groin injury, but is expected to take a full part in training ahead of the visit of the world champions. His reg-ional colleague Rees is also set to return after the hooker was left out against Samoa due to a calf problem. The pair’s expected availability will be a major boost to returning head coach Warren Gatland, who takes back the reins from Rob Howley, having been on British & Irish Lions duty over the last two weekends.

Wales’ miserable autumn campaign has been severely hit by injury problems. Adam Jones, Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones and Josh Turnbull have already been ruled out of the series, and Richard Hibbard, Dan Biggar and Ian Evans all picked up injuries against Samoa.

Blues lock Lou Reed and uncapped Scarlets hooker Kirby Myhill have been called in as 
injury cover.