Jenkins to miss Wales opener

Already wounded by the World Cup withdrawals of two of his Lions Test contingent – the centre Gavin Henson and the hooker and captain Matthew Rees – the Wales coach Warren

Gatland issued another bad-news bulletin yesterday by announcing that Gethin Jenkins, considered by some to be the best loose-head prop in the sport, was unlikely to feature in the opening game of the tournament against South Africa in Wellington on 11 September.

Jenkins is struggling with a calf injury and is in no position to prove his fitness in this weekend's final warm-up contest against the Argentinians at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales wing Shane Williams, scrum-half Mike Phillips and flanker Sam Warburton will be rested on Saturday, but tight-head prop Adam Jones is fit to resume in the front row after recovering from injury. Another Jones, the No 8 Ryan, returns to lead the side.