CORY HILL HAS become the latest player to withdraw from Wales’ preliminary World Cup training squad.
The former Cardiff and Dragons lock, who had been playing in Japan, was recalled by Wales head coach Warren Gatland following two years out of Test rugby.
But 31-year-old Hill has pulled out of the squad to pursue a club contract opportunity outside of Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union said.
“I am gutted to be leaving the squad, but an opportunity has come up and I need to take it for my family,” Hill said.
“Wishing the boys all the best at the World Cup, and I hope to be back in a Wales jersey in the future.”
Gatland named a 54-man group last month for the tournament in France later this year.
Lock Alun Wyn Jones, flanker Justin Tipuric and scrum-half Rhys Webb, who have 291 Wales caps between them, subsequently announced their retirements from international rugby.
And Cardiff prop Rhys Carre was then released from the squad after he failed to meet individual performance targets.
The PA news agency understands that Gatland has no plans to call up a replacement for Hill, whose new club want him available for them during the World Cup period in September and October.
Hill made his Wales debut against Australia in 2016, while a 32nd and latest appearance came during the 2021 Six Nations against France.
Gatland’s remaining second-row options in his squad are Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter, Rhys Davies, Teddy Williams and Christ Tshiunza.
Will they have any players left at this rate
@Conor Mulloy: Singer Tom Jones. Its not unusual lol
@Simon Dwyer: You just couldn’t ‘Help Yourself’.
@Sean Buckley: hard to leave the green green grass of home
@Simon Dwyer: indeed a few more Jones and Williams’s should solve the problem
Whenever it’s announced what squad he’s joining they should immediately be sanctioned, as it’s against world Rugby’s protocol’s to effectively force a player to leave an international team during a sanctioned international period.
@Patrick Breen: hard to do, it seems to have been left as the players choice. It was probably just “suggested” as being a great advantage to securing the contract if he was available during the World Cup window…. Like you said, effectively forced, but proving that? I don’t think Japan is the issue here anyway, it’s Welsh Rugby. What in the world have they, the management/administration, let it become?
God.
Bad week for rugby.
London Irish folding.
And a mass exodus in Wales.
Bit sickning that the urc seemed to be turning into good league.
Then the ass falls out of Welsh rugby.
Wales need to bite the bullet and put out a team of youngsters, regardless of the results. All these has beens should be thanked, then close the door on them. It used to mean something to pull on your country’s colours. Make an example to others that it still does.