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Rugby Union

New injury blow for Wales

13/02/2007

Wales full-back Kevin Morgan could miss the rest of the Six Nations campaign after breaking his jaw in the weekend defeat to Scotland.

Initially medical staff attached to the national side were unsure of the extent of the facial injury, but physiotherapist Mark Davies revealed that the Newport Gwent star will be sidelined for the next international tie at the very least.

"Kevin was reviewed by a dentist back in Wales yesterday following a further x-ray and then referred to a facial surgeon who identified a fracture within his jaw bone," he said.

"He will not be available to face France and his availability for the rest of the Championship is uncertain, but we are not ruling out a return at this stage."

The injury comes as the latest in a long run of bad luck for the 29-year-old whose international career has been previously interrupted by a broken foot and knee ligament damage.

While number eight Ryan Jones is a doubt for the encounter with the unbeaten leaders of the competition, there is better news elsewhere in the backline for coach Gareth Jenkins.

James Hook and Shane Williams will both feature for their clubs over the weekend after shaking off injuries, while Ospreys' Lee Byrne is also expected to be available for selection.

Bath number eight Gareth Delve may recover from an ankle injury in time to bolster Jenkins' back-row options, but there is more difficulty filling the vacancy left by Morgan.

Skipper Gareth Thomas is suspended for his part in the fracas that engulfed Toulouse's match with Ulster and attempts to revive Gavin Henson's form with a change of position have failed.

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