North in 'intense' rehab

Teenage Welsh star George North is undergoing "intense rehab" in a bid to be fit for the Triple Crown Chasers' Six Nations match away to England in a fortnight, the Welsh Rugby Union said Wednesday.

The giant 19-year-old wing left the field with a sprained ankle shortly before half-time during the 27-13 win over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.

But a WRU statement said he was "currently undergoing intense rehab with a view to being back in training next week".

Wales and England both have perfect 'played two, won two' records in this season's Six Nations heading into the Twickenham match on February 25, although World Cup semifinalists Wales top the table on points difference.

North is not Wales's only injury concern as they bid for just their third Twickenham win in 24 years.

Hooker Huw Bennett (calf) and stand-in skipper Ryan Jones (dead leg), drafted in at lock, both suffered setbacks last weekend.

However, the WRU said the duo aimed to be in contention to face England.

Wales captain Sam Warburton was withdrawn shortly before kick-off against Scotland after failing to recover from the thigh injury that meant he missed the second half of the tournament opening 23-21 win away to Ireland.

But with more than a week before Wales start preparing in earnest for England, the WRU said they hoped to have the openside flank "fully integrated" back into training at the start of next week.

Victory at Twickenham would give Wales the Triple Crown - the prize one of the four Home Unions gets for beating the other three in a single Six Nations.

Wales's last win at Twickenham was a 26-19 triumph in Warren Gatland's first game as a coach in 2008 - a result that marked the start of a Grand Slam.

AFP