Equally slick was the way Wales took the lead, as Matthew Rees picked out Phillips peeling around the front of a line-out.

BBC: Wales 19-13 Ireland

That never looked likely as Jones had James Tredwell caught behind with the score on 12 and Phillips pinned Matthew Walker leg-before.

BBC: In-form Somerset nearing Kent win

Long-term casualties Matthew Rees and Mike Phillips' recoveries are on target, Rees set to be ready for the opener against England on 6 February.

BBC: Wales given Six Nations fitness boost

Opera singer Bryn Terfel is already booked to launch the WMC on 26 November, with the line-up also including Charlotte Church, Matthew Rhys, Sian Phillips, Ruthie Henshall and Jonathan Pryce.

BBC: WMC's New York mission

Gatland's response was to send Dwayne Peel on for Phillips, Gavin Henson for Roberts and Huw Bennett for Matthew Rees.

BBC: France 21-16 Wales

The ball was handled by spectators, which should have denied Wales the right to take a quick throw-in, but Wales captain Matthew Rees was handed a different ball by a ball-boy and passed in to Mike Phillips peeling round the blind side.

BBC: James Hook flourishes as Wales fly-half

Williams and Jones join Gethin Jenkins (calf), Peel (groin), Mike Phillips (ankle), Alun Wyn Jones (elbow), Andy Powell (discipline) and Matthew Rees (groin) in seeing their Six Nations campaigns disrupted or ended.

BBC: Wales lose forwards Gareth Williams & Deiniol Jones