TAINE Plumtree has been called up to Wales’ Six Nations squad because of fitness fears over Dragons talisman Aaron Wainwright for Saturday’s clash with Italy.
Wainwright suffered a nasty gash to his face in the opening exchanges of the 43-0 hammering by France in Paris, caught by Antoine Dupont’s boot after scrambling back to tackle the France talisman.
There were fears that the 27-year-old from Bassaleg had suffered a fractured cheekbone but it looks like it is only a nasty gash, one that makes him a major doubt for Rome.
Scarlets back rower Taine Plumtree has been summoned after being a surprise omission from the initial squad for the tournament.
He will be ready to step in if Taulupe Faletau fails to recover from a knee injury that meant he was not considered for the opener in France.
Wainwright was replaced by Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell in Paris and that led to James Botham switching to number eight.
Meanwhile, centre Owen Watkin continues to be assessed after sustaining a knee injury in Paris, with no replacement yet called up.
It is feared that the Ospreys back uptured knee ligaments in the second half and that he will be out for the rest of the season.
Sale prop WillGriff John has rejoined the squad in Nice, where Wales are based ahead of their game in Rome.
Wales suffered a 13th successive Test match defeat and record Six Nations loss to France, failing to score in the tournament for the first time since 1998.
Defeat would put Warren Gatland’s men at serious risk of a second wooden spoon on the spin.
They have not won a Six Nations game since beating Italy at Stadio Olimpico in March 2023, while in just four Tests this season the try count against them is an alarming 24.
It is a bleak picture, particularly for head coach Warren Gatland, whose record since returning for a second stint as Wales boss shows just six Test wins from 25 starts.
“It’s huge, isn’t it? We said that in the changing rooms after the (France) game,” Wales wing Josh Adams said.
“We understand the run we’ve been on. It’s 13 (losses) now. We want that to stop, obviously, and we are working tirelessly to do that.
“It is a big game for us, and we understand that. Not many people have given us any hope in this campaign, and we are going to try and use that to our advantage.”
