Round-Up: Wales add four players to squad after defeat

 

Sunday 10 November 2013 19:42 EST
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The Wales prop Adam Jones is struggling to be fit for a game against Argentina
The Wales prop Adam Jones is struggling to be fit for a game against Argentina (AP)

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Wales have called up four players to train with the national squad following their 24-15 defeat to South Africa. The Scarlets props Samson Lee and Rhodri Jones, plus Newport-Gwent Dragons backs Hallam Amos and Tom Prydie will provide cover after the 2013 Six Nations champions lost a quartet of players to injury by half-time.

One, Jonathan Davies, is out of the rest of the autumn internationals and could even miss the Six Nations, after the centre damaged a pectoral muscle trying to stop Jean De Villiers from scoring the Springboks’ opening try.

Liam Williams was hurt in the same move, taking a blow to the head. Warren Gatland, the coach, is confident Williams will be fit for Saturday’s game against Argentina, but Adam Jones (calf) and Scott Andrews (neck) are doubts for the Pumas match.

Joe Schmidt was relieved to get his tenure as Ireland coach off to a winning start with a 40-9 defeat of Samoa on Saturday, but warned his team they will have to be a lot more clinical going forward. “There’s just a sense of relief, to be honest; I didn’t want to have to come in here afterwards and face up to a first-up loss,” Schmidt said.

The Samoa captain, Kahn Fotuali’i, criticised his side for failing to channel the motivation of an emotional tribute to the late Peter Fatialofa in the five-try defeat.

Former Samoa centre Brian Lima led the Siva Tau before kick-off, ending the war dance bare-chested after taking off a T-shirt depicting the late prop, but the Northampton scrum-half said: “We’re disappointed in the way we’ve played here.”

The New Zealand coach, Steve Hansen, praised his side’s mentality after hanging on to beat France 26-19 on Saturday to remain undefeated in Test rugby this year. “The French played particularly well,” Hansen said. “That’s why they call it a Test match – it’s a test of resolve, your mental strength. Everyone writes them off, that’s when they’re most dangerous.”

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