Leigh Halfpenny will have to prove his fitness before Wales consider him for selection against England in the Guinness Six Nations, says skills coach Neil Jenkins.
The full-back has not played any rugby since suffering concussion against Australia in November as Wales completed an unprecedented autumn series clean sweep.
But he is set to play his first game of rugby in three months this weekend for club side Scarlets after being released from Wales’ Championship squad for the game against Benetton.
And Jenkins admits it will be a big boost for Wales if they can call on the services of the 30-year-old British & Irish Lion again – but he must come through Saturday’s game unscathed first.
“He’s an outstanding rugby player, been fantastic for us,” he said. “Hopefully, he is going to get some game time this weekend for the Scarlets.
“The first thing for us is to see how it goes, is he on the bench? Is he starting? How he goes?
“But he does look after himself incredibly well. He hasn’t played since Australia in November so we can only go on what we’ve seen in training.”
Halfpenny missed Wales’ autumn wins against Tonga and South Africa as well as their first two Guinness Six Nations matches, which has seen Warren Gatland’s side get off to a perfect start.
Wales defeated France after staging a dramatic comeback in Round One, before seeing off Italy in Round Two to set up a mammoth encounter against England next up.
Gareth Anscombe and Dan Biggar have taken on kicking duties in Halfpenny’s absence, but Jenkins dismissed the debate surrounding who should start at No.10 against England.
“I’m not worried about the debate,” added Jenkins. “I think it’s irrelevant and we are blessed with the players we have got at outside and scrum-half.
“But we know what it’s going to be, Wales v England in Cardiff and a huge Test match.
“They have got a good squad. They could well be favourites with the form they have got but we are looking forward to it.”
