Wales assessing Jenkins and Hibbard ahead of Italy match

Wales are assessing the fitness of Gethin Jenkins and Richard Hibbard ahead of their final Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

Warren Gatland's Wales go to to Italy in third place in the championship table, but level on points with England and Ireland.

Their points difference is more than 20 worse than both England and Ireland though, so Wales will need a big win to have any realistic chance of claiming a third Six Nations title in four years.

Prop Jenkins was forced off at half-time of Saturday's 23-16 win over Ireland because of a hamstring injury, while replacement hooker Hibbard is following concussion protocols in order to feature. Saracens prop Rhys Gill is training with the squad as cover for Jenkins.

Tight-head prop Samson Lee has already been ruled out of the Italy match with an Achilles injury suffered against Ireland.

Uncapped Exeter prop Tomas Francis, who was invited to train with Wales last week, has now officially joined their Six Nations squad and could conceivably feature on the bench at the Stadio Olimpico.

Wales head coach Gatland is scheduled to announce his team, and replacements, to play Italy on Tuesday.

Despite their front-row injury situation, Wales will not be turning to 95 times-capped Adam Jones, who announced his retirement from Test rugby earlier this season.

"It was Adam's decision in the first place to hang up his boots on the international front," said Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde. "There is no need to call him at the moment. We have enough strength in depth."

It was Adam's decision in the first place to hang up his boots. There is no need to call him

McBryde says the Wales squad is focused on the task in hand ahead of Saturday's finale.

"The spirit is good, and by keeping us in the hunt for the title, everyone has come in with that appetite and an edge to build on the momentum for the last few days," he said.

Wales open Saturday's final round of matches with a 12.30pm kick-off in Italy, before Ireland face Scotland at Murrayfield at 2.30pm and England host France with the match at Twickenham at 5pm.

"It helps that we are on first. We don't know what the situation will be at the end of play. We have to win the game first," said McBryde. "Italy have strengths of their own, and you have to base any victory on defence and making sure that's in place before you turn your efforts into scoring.

"Their victory against Scotland proves their calibre. We know it's not going to be easy, so we are going there just to try and get a result.

"What happens the rest of the day, we are not in control of. We are not thinking about the points difference. We are just going there for the win.

"It's the last competitive game with something riding on it before the World Cup, and we have to treat it as such.

"It's all about Saturday and building on the momentum we've already created, and just making sure we finish on a high."