Matthew Rees will captain Wales in next month's series of international matches after Ryan Jones was ruled out of the opener against Australia with a calf injury.

Ospreys No.8 Jones was injured on club duty with the Ospreys at the weekend and will be reassessed after the November 6 match against the Wallabies.

Scarlets hooker Rees, who will become Wales' 129th captain, says "to lead the side out at the Millennium Stadium against a side of the strength and stature of Australia is just an amazing thought."

Wales' injury problems worsened on Tuesday when winger Leigh Halfpenny was ruled out for three to four weeks with ankle ligament damage.

He has been replaced by Aled Brew, who was already in the squad as injury cover for George North.

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