Jenkins limped off at half-time during Cardiff Blues’ 28-21 Challenge Cup final victory over Toulon at the weekend and was withdrawn from the squad after an assessment on Wednesday.

Defence coach Shaun Edwards said: “Gethin is an outstanding player and everyone knows how highly I rate him.

“It’s like having another back-rower on the pitch as well as having a prop forward.

“We do have other loose-heads who will be jumping out of their skin to get that number one shirt on and to run out and represent their country in a Test match.”

Jenkins departure adds to the selection headache of coach Warren Gatland who is also without James Hook, Luke Charteris, Dwayne Peel and Martyn Williams.