Wales call for Eli Walker

Eli Walker is back after Liam Williams’s foot injury.

Liam Williams has become the latest Wales player to suffer Rugby World Cup injury heartache as their casualty count continues to pile up.

“We’ve come through the last few weeks after really tough games against tier one nations, and Fiji can not be underestimated – they were extremely physical and tough – and that gives us a really good platform”. We’re hanging on to it a bit – he managed to pick it up again and dive on it.

“It’s knockout football, a quarter-final to look forward to”.

Fly-half Dan Biggar says that Wales will take inspiration from their recent history against South Africa when they head into punishing World Cup knockout territory.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game”. Australia was our fourth game and we pushed them all the way. Tyler Morgan could slot in out wide or either the Newport Gwent Dragons prospect or James Hook could feature in midfield with George North returning to the wing.

Jamie Roberts has been predictable, in a sense – and while that sounds like a negative, it’s not.

“You are aware of the injuries which we have had”.

“When you look at the experience in their backline, with Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen, who is back from injury, it’s a case of trying to match that experience and strength with what we’ve got”.

“Eli is not available for selection this weekend”.

Coach Warren Gatland has lost 10 backs due to injury and the fact he has had to go back to 23-year-old Walker, a promising talent but with just one cap, shows the lack of options. First time around, before the World Cup began, Walker was as an emergency replacement for Leigh Halfpenny but he had to drop out of the squad when he damaged his hamstring in training.