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Wales likely to shuffle the pack as Bennett’s hopes fade
World Cup hooker Huw Bennett looks likely to miss Wales’ bid for Triple Crown glory against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley has revealed Ospreys forward Bennett, who won his 50th cap in the victory over Ireland earlier this month, is struggling to recover from injury.
But Wales are hopeful other players with knocks, including star winger George North and captain Sam Warburton, will be fit and available to face their unbeaten RBS 6 Nations title rivals.
Former Wales captain Matthew Rees, who missed the World Cup due to a neck problem, is favourite to replace Bennett if he shakes off a calf muscle strain that sidelined him against Ireland and Scotland earlier this month.
“It looks as if Huw Bennett is unlikely to make it.” said Howley.
“Richard Hibbard has been brought into the squad, and Matthew Rees will train today. The medics are very hopeful, and we will know more about him in the next 24 hours.
“George North (ankle) seems fine. He has come through rehab well, without doing too much, and we hope he will start on the weekend.”
Like Rees, Bennett has calf muscle trouble, and Wales coach Warren Gatland will want to keep changes to a minimum as he assesses his options ahead of today’s scheduled team announcement.
Warburton’s back-row return instead of Aaron Shingler, and Rees instead of Bennett, could prove to be the only switches as Wales target only a second Twickenham success since 1988.
Expectation is high in Wales, fuelled by bookmakers confidently predicting an away win and comments from pundits like Jonathan Davies, who said England could be “smashed” physically.
But Howley added: “We are under no illusions. A lot has been said in the media about Wales being favourites, but we need to go out and be as clinical and accurate under pressure as we were in Ireland.
“We came up short against Scotland. Never mind that we played well for 15 minutes after half-time, we need to get elements right that we did not in the first 25 minutes.
“Scotland targeted us in the contact area and made it very difficult. Speed of ball and the gain-line are important.
“England are above us in the world rankings, and possibly at home they should be favourites. We know how good they can be.
“They have played good sides (Scotland and Italy) in very difficult conditions, and with a back-three of (Chris) Ashton, (Ben) Foden and (David) Strettle they can stretch any defensive line with the ball in hand.
“We are mindful of how they can play, and it is about us not allowing them to do that.
“You are only as good as your next game. We left 20 points out on the park against Scotland. Away days in the Six Nations are hard. England have played two, won two, and have an experienced pack. They can play the game in the right areas and they know how to win games.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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