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Williams to miss All Blacks clash

31/10/2005

Wales flanker Martyn Williams looks certain to miss this weekend's Test match against New Zealand after the death of his mother.

The 30-year-old did not meet up with his team-mates at their training facility in the Vale of Glamorgan yesterday following the family bereavement.

Williams will attend a funeral service on Thursday and is not expected to play against the All Blacks at the Millennium stadium on Saturday.

"It is safest at this point to presume he is not available," said Wales manager Alan Phillips.

The loss of Williams, who was named player of the tournament following Wales' RBS Six Nations win earlier this year, is a major blow to the home team as they prepare to face New Zealand.

Phillips was however given a lift earlier today when Stephen Jones declared himself fit after spending a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Jones played for his club Clermont in their Heineken Cup win over Ospreys yesterday and has not suffered any recurrences of the problem.

Wales today called up Llanelli flanker Dafydd Jones as cover for Williams.

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