Wales prop Jarvis ruled out of Australia clash

Wales’ coach Warren Gatland, pictured in February 2012. Wales prop Aaron Jarvis has been ruled out of Saturday’s Test match against Australia after suffering a knee ligament injury.

CARDIFF, United Kingdom - Wales prop Aaron Jarvis has been ruled out of Saturday’s Test match against Australia after suffering a knee ligament injury.

Jarvis sustained the problem during his side’s 33-10 defeat against New Zealand on Saturday and will undergo further assessment on Monday before it is decided if the Welsh star needs surgery.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who has put back his team announcement until Thursday, hopes to receive better news over the fitness of lock Bradley Davies ahead of this weekend’s Millennium Stadium clash.

Davies was hospitalised after being struck from behind in the second minute by New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore, but has now rejoined his team-mates.

“Bradley Davies is back in the Wales camp after spending some time in hospital on Saturday night,” a Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) statement read.

“He is recovering from severe concussion and following the appropriate return to play protocols.

“He is not training today, but it is still too soon to reach any further conclusions.”

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley launched a scathing attack on Hore, who was subsequently cited by match commissioner Mike Rafter for his challenge on Davies and will face a disciplinary hearing this week.

“What Hore did has got no place on a rugby field, as far as I am concerned,” Howley said.

“It was an absolute disgrace. He has been cited, and I am sure it won’t be taken too lightly.

“Situations and incidents like that have no place on the rugby field, and it had a huge impact on the game.”

The WRU also revealed that six other players on the injury list will benefit from the extra time afforded by a delayed team announcement.

Centre Jamie Roberts has a hip problem and won’t train during the early part of this week, while flanker Ryan Jones had stitches in a head wound and will also only do limited training.

Wing George North remains in contention to return from a hip injury after missing the All Blacks game, while lock Ian Evans, who has a knee problem, was scheduled to undergo a fitness test on Monday and fly-half Dan Biggar is restricted to limited training following a shoulder problem.

Paul James and James Hook have returned to their clubs as the Australia showdown falls outside the International Rugby Board’s Test window, but France-based trio Mike Phillips, Gethin Je