Rugby World Cup: Wales facing injury crisis ahead of England

WALES coach Warren Gatland took a deep breath, then reeled off the extensive list of players to get injured in the Rugby World Cup win over Uruguay.

Wales v Uruguay - Group A: Rugby World Cup 2015

WALES coach Warren Gatland took a deep breath, then reeled off the extensive list of players to get injured in the Rugby World Cup win over Uruguay.

Centre Cory Allen sustained a “significant” hamstring injury.

Fullback Liam Williams took a knock to the thigh.

Samson Lee and Paul James had calf problems.

Dan Lydiate had a bash to the head.

Gatland almost forgot that Aaron Jarvis popped a rib cartilage as well.

“I’m OK, though,” Gatland quipped, although the New Zealander must be both alarmed and frustrated inside.

Wales is facing an injury crisis heading into Sunday’s (AEST) crunch Pool A game against England at Twickenham.

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Gareth Davies of Wales scores his team’s sixth try at the Millennium Stadium.

Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb — arguably Wales’ two most important players — were ruled out of the tournament less than two weeks before it started, joining fellow starter Jonathan Davies on the sidelines.

Lock and pack leader Alun-Wyn Jones has been nursing a knee injury, then came all these new problems.

“Unfortunately we’ve picked up a few knocks but that’s rugby, that’s professional sport,” Gatland said, “and there’s no doubt we’ll pick a few more.”

The Welsh cannot afford any more, especially in the front row.

Gatland says Wales are down to three fit props with Lee and James now injured, and four are needed in a matchday squad of 23 — two in the team and two on the bench.

It may mean Gatland has to rule one of the props out of the World Cup so he can bring in another.

Cory Allen of Wales leaves the field injured at the Millennium Stadium.

To make matters worse, the injured Jarvis is cover at hooker, since Wales only selected two No 2s.

Of those injured against Uruguay in the 54-9 win, Allen looks to be the most serious and could be ruled out of the tournament following scans.

Wales only has two other specialist centres in Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts.

Williams has only just returned from foot surgery and was being earmarked as Halfpenny’s replacement.

The injury crisis has come at exactly the wrong time, with Wales captain Sam Warburton calling the England game “one of the most, if not the most, high-profile matches any of the boys selected have played in.”

Gatland wasn’t reading too much into a sloppy performance against the amateurs from Uruguay, that was error-strewn throughout.

Wales selected an understrength team and was frustrated by a passionate opponent, even though they eventually ran in eight tries — four in each half.

Gatland said he was “satisfied” with the win.

“I don’t there’s much improvement at all really,” he said, looking to the England game, when all his first-choice players will return.

“Next week’s going to be about up here and getting ready mentally for the confrontation.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wales facing injury crisis ahead of England