Gethin Jenkins has been ruled out with a calf injury © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Gethin Jenkins | Matthew Rees | Gareth Williams

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: France | Wales

Wales have been hit with further injury problems after it was confirmed that front-row trio Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Gareth Williams will all miss their next Six Nations fixture, against France in Cardiff on February 26.

Jenkins aggravated a calf injury during a 10-minute cameo appearance in Wales' thrilling victory over Scotland last weekend, while his Blues team-mate Williams limped out of the game with damaged knee ligaments.

British & Irish Lions hooker Rees is yet to play in this year's tournament after suffering further damage to a groin injury picked up during the November defeat to Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

The injuries come hot on the heels of lock Alun-Wyn Jones' tournament-ending elbow injury and Andy Powell's axing from the squad on disciplinary grounds. Paul James will continue to deputise for Jenkins at loose-head, while Scarlets youngster Ken Owens will come into the frame for a debut as backup to Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett.

"Matthew is progressing well and will continue his rehab in camp with Wales," Wales physio Mark Davies said. "He will undergo exhaustive testing over the next few days which will give us a clearer idea of when he may be available, but we can confirm that the France game will come too soon for him.

"Gethin has been scanned since leaving the field against Scotland and, as we thought, he has aggravated the calf injury which kept him out against England. At this stage we are not putting a time limit on his recovery, but again we know he will not take the field against France.

"Gareth sustained medial ligament damage to his knee during the win over Scotland last weekend. He will undertake a rest and rehab programme and his progress will be re-assessed next week, but the injury rules him out of contention for Friday night."