Tag

Wales’ injury-ravaged World Cup campaign looks set to take another major double hit.

Wales are refusing to be downhearted by the injury problems that are threatening to undermine their Rugby World Cup campaign, flanker Dan Lydiate said on Monday.

With defensive captain Brad Barritt also failing to impress in only his second appearance back from a long-term injury, Joseph’s potential absence could leave the door open for the likes of Sam Burgess, Owen Farrell or even Henry Slade to stake a claim for a starting berth.

The technology will benefit the Television Match Official (TMO) who will be able to monitor the footage from the cameras. “They shouldn’t have changed it – even though the decision was right”.

England, with a 35-11 win over Fiji, and Wales, who defeated Uruguay 54-9, launched their World Cup campaigns with victories last weekend in a “Pool of Death” also featuring two-time champions Australia.

But nothing significant. JJ [Joseph] has a bit of a knock, nothing too serious.

He said: “Ben has a little bang on his knee that isn’t serious at all. We know he is a big-game player and a great competitor and so are the other players around him”.

While the injuries were of grave concern to Gatland, there was also a sense of frustration in the unconvincing nature of Wales’ victory.

Two-try hero Mike Brown may be certain of his place in England’s next World Cup match but coach Stuart Lancaster could do with a few changes for the clash with Wales.

Wales are not training until Wednesday at their Surrey base and Gatland remains confident that they can strike a telling blow in the fierce battle to qualify from a group that also includes Australia and Fiji.

Wales achieved a bonus point victory over a Uruguay side made up largely of amateurs, but it was laboured and costly.

Lloyd Williams and Matthew Morgan complete the replacements.

Full-back Williams, meanwhile, has not played since the end of last season due to a foot problem, and his Scarlets colleague Lee has been sidelined since suffering an Achilles injury during Wales’ RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland six months ago.

Uruguay first five Felipe Berchesi is relishing the once-in-a-lifetime experience of playing Wales in his team’s opening Rugby World Cup match in Cardiff on Monday morning.

Nine Entertainment Co has the free-to-air rights for the World Cup and will telecast 17 matches, including all Wallabies games and big games such as the semi-finals and final.