Wales have finally received some good news from their physio department with prop Samson Lee, utility back Liam Williams and lock Alun Wyn Jones all set to be fit to face Uruguay in their opening pool game. It will come as a relief to Wales fans who have had nothing but bad news in recent times on the injury front.
It has been a torrid week for them, after star duo Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb were ruled out of the entire tournament after suffering injuries in the team’s win over Italy in Cardiff in their final warm-up game last weekend.
“Alun Wyn Jones is fine, Samson Lee and Liam Williams have played a full part in training. Samson has played a full part in scrummaging,” Wales coach Rob Howley said. “I think it’s fair to say Liam and Samson would have to play against Uruguay to be involved against England and they are likely starters against Uruguay. Time on the field is vital after so long out.”
Howley added on Jones: “From what I am led to believe he will be fit for Uruguay.”
Wales face Uruguay in their opening game, and after that play England, Fiji and Australia. With Lee and Williams in particular returning after lengthy lay-offs, it would have been quite a lot to ask them to head straight into battle against any of those teams without blowing the cobwebs away first.
In that sense, it is vital that they are available for the Uruguay encounter and get some game time in their legs.
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Good to have Alun-Wyn – the others are much needed too, but his loss would genuinely have put and end to our hopes. He’s a great player, and a terrific leader too.
Figured I would revive this – Walker is now out injured, Moriaty to take his place.
I was excited to see Walker I don’t know much about Moriaty so holding off on judgement, he did show a spark of good stuff in the Italy game but whether its a maintainable spark I have no clue.
More importantly back 3 is starting to look a bit weak with cuthbert a nailed on starter and only Amos and Morgan for rotation, niether of which I see as international standard.
At this rate Gats might even be forced to call up Hook as injury cover
I would happily start either Amos or Morgan over Cuthbert. Whilst Cuthbert may have the quality in him it’s been a damn long time since he put it on the pitch, no idea how he made it into the 31. I’m hoping for the tougher games Gat will play Amos or Morgan, have Tip & Warburton together and both the Williams on the pitch then we’ll stand a good chance. The Williams lads play v.well together as did Tip/Warb when they were together so much contesting the break down it cuts out opposition flow.
I will be deeply surprised if Gatland does not pick both Cuthbert and Lydiate for then tough games.
He’s had plenty of chances (and reasons) both to drop Cuthbert and to play Warburton and Tipuric together and as far as I can remember, has never done so for the big games.