Matthew Rees will be missing with injury when the Welsh team takes the field at Twickenham for their Six Nations opening fixture against England this Saturday (February 6th).

Rees has suffered a recurrence of an old groin injury and his place at hooker will now be taken by Gareth Williams.

The news comes as a blow to coach Warren Gatland, who had been able to welcome Lee Byrne back to the squad after his possible two-match ban was put on hold while he appeals against the punishment for being the 16th man on a field in a club game.

The injury setback to Rees may be the sort of problem experienced by a number of people, who find that old troubles keep on returning.

Sufferers from groin strains may find that ultrasound treatment aids recovery.

England also have injury concerns going into the game, with Wasps youngster Joe Simpson set to miss the entire tournament after dislocating his shoulder.