Scarlets count the cost after Rees blow

SCARLETS head coach Nigel Davies was today trying to put on a brave face after a crippling autumn international campaign that has denied him four of his leading players for the crunch Heineken Cup double header against Leinster.

Hooker Matthew Rees is the latest injury blow for the region after it was revealed the British Lion is likely to need surgery on a groin tear suffered in Wales's defeat to Australia on Saturday.

Rees is set to be out for at least three months — making him a major doubt for next year's Six Nations championship — and follows skipper Mark Jones (knee) flanker Dafydd Jones (shoulder) and full-back Morgan Stoddart (hamstring) on the casualty list from the November series.

All are major blows to the Scarlets' hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Europe with two critical pool showdowns against defending champions Leinster looming large on the horizon this month.

Rees was stretchered off in the first half of Wales's 33-12 loss to the Wallabies and a scan has revealed he will probably need to go under the knife.

The 28-year-old has been one of the best Welsh forwards on show during the autumn and how long he will be laid up for is uncertain until he sees a specialist — understood to be the same man who has helped Liverpool soccer star Steven Gerrard recover from his own groin problem.

"From the initial reports we have had, I would not expect him to be available for at least the next 12 weeks," said Mark Ridgewell, the Scarlets' senior medical officer.

At least Davies has a ready-made replacement in 22-year-old Ken Owens, who has been in outstanding form this season, with Llandovery's Emyr Phillips likely to step up for bench duty.

Unfortunate

"Obviously this is another disappointment for the Scarlets on the injury front in recent weeks and is very unfortunate for Matthew, who has been playing with distinction this season following a great Lions tour in the summer," said a philosophical Davies.

"The injury will rule him out for a while, but we have belief in the strength and depth of the squad this season. We are in a much better position than we were last season in terms of the choices we have available to us."

Leinster also have their injury problems.

Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald is sidelined for six months after damaging knee ligaments in the draw with Australia, while fly-half Jonathan Sexton, one of Ireland's stars of the autumn, will miss both Scarlets clashes after breaking two fingers in his left hand during the win over the Springboks last Saturday.

Robert Lloyd