Wales handed fitness boost (From The Northern Echo)

Wales handed fitness boost

8:00am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Sport

Wales' injury situation appears to be easing ahead of the match against England at Twickenham later this month.

The squad reported back for duty yesterday for the first time after their victory over Scotland on Sunday.

George North left the field during the 27-13 win with a sprained ankle and the wing is undergoing rehabilitation with a view to being back in training next week.

Huw Bennett (calf) and Ryan Jones (dead leg) also picked up their injuries at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Hooker Bennett is also undergoing intense treatment and hopes to be back in training next week, while clubmate Jones - captain for the day on Sunday - is in the early stages of rehab on his thigh injury but also hopes to be in contention for Twickenham on February 25.

Captain Sam Warburton was ruled out after a fitness test on Sunday after failing to recover from a thigh problem.

The back rower will take advantage of the extra time before the trip to England to further his recovery and is expected to be fully integrated back into training next week.

Two players who were ruled out of contention for selection for the Scotland game, hooker Matthew Rees and flanker Justin Tipuric, have both also handed Wales fitness boosts.