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Gatland must submit his final 31-man squad on August 31, and on the evidence of Saturday’s defeat the likes of fly-half James Hook could now be skating close to missing the cut.

Ireland flanker Tommy O’Donnell has been ruled out of contention for the Rugby World Cup after dislocating his hip in a warm-up match against Wales on Saturday.

It means the World Cup dream is about to end for some as the countdown continues towards Gatland’s final 31-man World Cup squad announcement later this month.