Hooker Gareth Williams was injured in the 31-24 victory over Scotland with the Ospreys’ Huw Bennett filling in for the match against France and it has now been confirmed the Blues star will play no further part in Wales’ campaign.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has been plagued by injuries to his front row throughout the Championship and Williams’ knee problem will leave Bennett to contest the No. 2 shirt with Scarlets duo Ken Owens and Matthew Rees.

Gatland is also down to the bare bones in the boiler room after Jones’ rib injury, picked up in the defeat to France, as the 32-year-old joins fellow lock Alun Wyn Jones on the sidelines.

Dragons second-row Luke Charteris would appear favourite to fill the breach although he will return to play for his region along with flanker Dan Lydiate against Munster as part of 14 players released by Gatland to play in this weekend’s matches.

Scrum-half Mike Phillips, who was named on the bench against France after a long period out through injury, will be given the chance to get more game time under his belt for the Ospreys along with fly-half Dan Biggar and winger Kristian Phillips, who scored a hat-trick for the Wales Under-20s against France.

Flanker Sam Warburton, who is pushing veteran Martyn Williams hard for his place in the side, is in line to start for the Blues against Leinster alongside Tom Shanklin and Tom James.

Guinness Premiership side Sale will have scrum-half Dwayne Peel and prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts available as they battle to beat the drop.