Wales suffer fresh backline blow
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Wales will tackle England on Saturday in their final Test of the 2025 Six Nations without another key player in the back three.
Tom Rogers fractured his thumb during the 35-29 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield last week, and is ruled out for this week’s clash in the Welsh capital.
Fellow winger Josh Adams has not featured since the opening two Six Nations games, while fullback Liam Williams has been sidelined after injuring his knee in the championship opener against France.
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt has opted not to call anyone else into his squad, with 21-year-old Gloucester wing Josh Hathaway now a potential starter in Cardiff.
Sherratt could also consider moving Hathaway's Gloucester colleague Max Llewellyn from the centre, or pick Joe Roberts, Rogers' Murrayfield replacement, in a wing role.
But a starting berth for Hathaway seems the most likely option as Wales bid to avoid a 17th successive Test defeat and 11th Six Nations loss on the bounce.
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England, by contrast, will arrive at the Principality Stadium as outside title contenders, although a win for France against Scotland would almost certainly be enough to secure the trophy.
“They will be looking forward to coming here because they have got something to play for,” said Wales assistant coach Neil Jenkins. “But we've also got something to play for in trying to get that win.
“There is definitely no greater motivation for a Welsh side than playing against an England team going for something.”
Wales' last Test victory came against 2023 World Cup pool opponents Georgia, and Warren Gatland departed as head coach following a dismal 22-15 loss to Italy last month.
Sherratt's three-game stint will come to an end after England's Cardiff visit.
Speaking about the past 18 months, Jenkins added: “It has been tough… a rollercoaster ride. It hasn't been easy, but you keep your head down, stay professional and work as hard as you can to make the players better.”
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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