Rees Losing World Cup Fitness Battle

Wales skipper Jonathan Rees looks likely to miss the World Cup after it was revealed that the operation on a neck injury that would mean a prolonged spell on the sidelines couldn’t be delayed until after the tournament.

Rees has been forced to miss Wales’ last three test matches with because of a problem in his neck problem which is believed to be disc-related, with Sam Warburton taking the captain’s armband for this weekend’s game against England as well as the World Cup, which gets underway next month.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland revealed the Scarlets hooker had received an injection for his injury, but surgery looks the most likely option, which means Rees would have only a 50% chance of making the tournament.

"He has had an injection, but he is still in a lot of pain," said Gatland. "It looks like he will need an operation sooner, rather than later. We will have to sit down and discuss things with him." Gatland said.

A British and Irish Lion in 2009, Rees captained Wales for the Autumn international series and the 6 Nations having taken over the role from Ryan Jones, and is considered one of Wales’ key players going in to the World Cup.

Gatland has four alternatives should the 30-year-old be declared unfit, Richard Hibbard, Huw Bennett, Lloyd Burns and Ken Owens all in contention for a spot in the final squad.

With Rees having missed the 23-19 defeat against England last week, Gatland emphasised the need for those in a Welsh rugby jerseys to pick up a win in the return game at Cardiff this weekend.

"We have spoken as a group about how important it is for us to win on Saturday," he said.

"If we are going to be serious contenders in this World Cup, we need to send out a message that we are good enough to beat England at home and do that next week as well (against Argentina)."