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Cape Town - Wales have had their Rugby World Cup ambitions dented by injury yet again, after another of their star players was ruled as doubtful for the September - October tournament.
The Dragons, who face South Africa in their first game at the World Cup, have already lost captain Matthew Rees, utility back Morgan Stoddard and centre Gavin Henson to injury, and may travel to New Zealand without highly-rated loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins as well.
According to BBC sport website, Wales Coach Warren Gatland is still considering Jenkins even though he will not be fit in time for the team’s opening match.
"We've had him re-scanned and there's some damage in the calf and... he's seeing a specialist this week,” said Gatland.
"That probably rules him out of consideration for that South African game, the first game of the tour, if he's selected.
“But we know what a quality player he is, so the hope is he will show signs of improvement and that maybe we may be able to consider him for other games in the World Cup."
Gatland’s team will face defending champions South Africa, Pacific Islanders Samoa and Fiji and minnows Namibia in Pool D at the World Cup.
Wales have only progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the World Cup once in their history, when they were defeated 49 - 6 in the inaugural competition by hosts and eventual champions New Zealand, and did not qualify for the knock-out phase at the 2007 tournament.
The team had a hectic pre-season schedule, which included two intense training camps in Poland during July, and have played two warm-up tests against England so far - losing the first 23 - 19 and winning the second 19 - 9.
Wales play one more warm-up match, against Argentina on Saturday August 20, before announcing their World Cup team.
The Dragons, who face South Africa in their first game at the World Cup, have already lost captain Matthew Rees, utility back Morgan Stoddard and centre Gavin Henson to injury, and may travel to New Zealand without highly-rated loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins as well.
According to BBC sport website, Wales Coach Warren Gatland is still considering Jenkins even though he will not be fit in time for the team’s opening match.
"We've had him re-scanned and there's some damage in the calf and... he's seeing a specialist this week,” said Gatland.
"That probably rules him out of consideration for that South African game, the first game of the tour, if he's selected.
“But we know what a quality player he is, so the hope is he will show signs of improvement and that maybe we may be able to consider him for other games in the World Cup."
Gatland’s team will face defending champions South Africa, Pacific Islanders Samoa and Fiji and minnows Namibia in Pool D at the World Cup.
Wales have only progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the World Cup once in their history, when they were defeated 49 - 6 in the inaugural competition by hosts and eventual champions New Zealand, and did not qualify for the knock-out phase at the 2007 tournament.
The team had a hectic pre-season schedule, which included two intense training camps in Poland during July, and have played two warm-up tests against England so far - losing the first 23 - 19 and winning the second 19 - 9.
Wales play one more warm-up match, against Argentina on Saturday August 20, before announcing their World Cup team.
