WALES HEAD COACH Warren Gatland has had to bring James Hook and Gareth Anscombe in from the cold after two more of his backs were forced out of the Rugby World Cup squad.
Having already tried to ride out the problem of fullback Leigh Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb being ruled out before the tournament kicked off, Wales’ bruising battle with England on Saturday brought serious injuries for centre Scott Williams (knee), wing Hallam Amos (shoulder) and fullback Liam Williams.
The former will remain with the squad but will miss Thursday’s Pool A match against Fiji while he undergoes the concussion return to play protocols. Tom Wood, the England flanker whose boot crashed in to Williams’ head, has been warned by the citing commissioner, but will face no further action.
Scott Williams required lengthy attention and was removed after being hit by Brad Barritt. PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
The prognosis for the the centre and wing are much clearer, they are out of the Rugby World Cup.
In their place Gatland has called up two men who can comfortably cover fullback and at least one other position: Cardiff Blues’ Anscombe (son of former Ulster coach Mark) and Gloucester’s Hook who has made just two international starts in the last four years. Hook’s most recent outing was at number 10 in Ireland’s convincing 21 – 35 win in Cardiff in early August.
Wales call up Hook and Anscombe with no end in sight of back-line injury crisis
WALES HEAD COACH Warren Gatland has had to bring James Hook and Gareth Anscombe in from the cold after two more of his backs were forced out of the Rugby World Cup squad.
Having already tried to ride out the problem of fullback Leigh Halfpenny and scrum-half Rhys Webb being ruled out before the tournament kicked off, Wales’ bruising battle with England on Saturday brought serious injuries for centre Scott Williams (knee), wing Hallam Amos (shoulder) and fullback Liam Williams.
The former will remain with the squad but will miss Thursday’s Pool A match against Fiji while he undergoes the concussion return to play protocols. Tom Wood, the England flanker whose boot crashed in to Williams’ head, has been warned by the citing commissioner, but will face no further action.
The prognosis for the the centre and wing are much clearer, they are out of the Rugby World Cup.
In their place Gatland has called up two men who can comfortably cover fullback and at least one other position: Cardiff Blues’ Anscombe (son of former Ulster coach Mark) and Gloucester’s Hook who has made just two international starts in the last four years. Hook’s most recent outing was at number 10 in Ireland’s convincing 21 – 35 win in Cardiff in early August.
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