MATTHEW Rees’ hopes of making the World Cup are hanging by a thread after coach Warren Gatland admitted the Wales captain is unlikely to be fit to play against England at Twickenham on Saturday, writes Robin Davey.

The Rees scare was revealed in yesterday’s Argus and Gatland admitted at a press conference that the hooker has not trained for a week and would need injections to try to ease the problem.

Sam Warburton, the 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker who led Wales for the first time against the Barbarians in June, is likely to retain the position against England in the first warm-up match for next month’s World Cup.

The injury seems to be more to Rees’ neck than his back, though there could be a knock-on effect, but either way it’s going to be touch and go for the World Cup.

Gatland admitted that Rees may need an operation.

“Matthew’s preparations have been a bit limited and he has not been able to do much contact work,” said the coach.

“An operation is a possibility but hopefully not before the World Cup. If there is no improvement he may need something after it, but hopefully a couple of injections will improve things.

“It is always a risk if, but we have rested him and hope there will be a significant improvement.

“He feels it goes away when he’s training, it’s when he’s resting or or sleeping or walking around trying to relieve the pressure that he most feels it.

“I’d like him to play him this month, I don’t want him to go into the World Cup cold. He sees it is going to affect him a bit, but I hope the injections work and he’ll be back into training pretty quickly.

“Sam captained the side against the Barbarians and did a pretty good job so it’s possible he’ll do it again.”

It would be a massive blow if Wales lose Rees for the World Cup.

The 30-year-old is an experienced hooker with 46 caps to his name and would form an all-Lions front row in the World Cup alongside Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones.

Gatland expects the first of two matches against England to be just as intense as any Six Nations fixture between the rivals.

“I’d be disappointed if it didn’t have the same passion as a usual England game,” he said.

“I’ve seen how motivated the players are and how much they want to get selected for the World Cup.

“I’m conscious of what happened in 2007 and even in 2003 when England came here and gained a comprehensive victory so it’s important that we pick two strong sides and give a good account of ourselves.”

Gatland answered questions about Gavin Henson’s fitness by initially saying fans would have to wait and see but hopefully he would get an opportunity, then praised one his rivals, rapidly emerging Scarlets centre Scott Williams. “He’s a player to watch out for,” he said.