LONDON – The days before the Rugby World Cup just get longer for Wales’ Coach Warren Gatland with Leigh Halfpenny’s replacement Eli Walker ruled out of the tournament through a recurring hamstring injury.
The winger’s injury continues the long list of casualties in the backs after fullback Leigh Halfpenny, scrum half Rhys Webb and centre Jonathan Davies were already ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. Liam Williams, the man who is expected to fill Halfpenny’s boots is also under an injury cloud after suffering a foot injury.
Wales back-rower Ross Moriarty has been called into the squad to replace Walker. But while Moriarty adds depth to Wales’ back row, that’s not exactly an area that Gatland is struggling with after a horror pre-World Cup for his backs.
The extensive list of injured backs leaves Gatland in a bind with only four squad players to fill the back three positions for the duration of the tournament. Liam Williams, George North, Alex Cuthbert and Hallam Amos are the only recognised outside backs and will have a mountain of work to get through during the pool stages.
Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against Uruguay in Cardiff on Sunday (2.30 GMT).
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