RWC 2015: Wales receive injury boost from Paul James and Liam Williams
Kicking coach Neil Jenkins says Wales were glad to get through a ‘brutal’ game against Fiji
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wales are expected to have the rarity of a fully fit squad to chose from for their potentially crucial final pool game against Australia next Saturday.
The Wales line-up has been ravaged by injuries both in the lead-up to the World Cup and during it but head coach Warren Gatland is expected to have the luxury of being able to select from all 31 members of his revised squad for the Wallabies game.
Full-back Liam Williams, who missed Thursday’s 23-13 win over Fiji in Cardiff after being knocked out by the knee of England flanker Tom Wood, is on course to clear the relevant concussion protocol.
Prop Paul James will be available once more following a calf injury, while lock Bradley Davies, who was limping heavily after the victory over Fiji at the Millennium Stadium and had an ice pack strapped to his ankle, is expected to recover for a game that could be a make-or-break fixture for Wales, depending on the outcome of Saturday night's game at Twickenham between England and Australia.
Gareth Anscombe, who was called in to replace the injured Hallam Amos on the wing, is also in contention for selection, having recovered from an ankle complaint which ruled him out of contention to face the Fijians.
Of the overall fitness of the squad, Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins said yesterday: “We will be OK. We have got a nice turnaround and the boys can look forward to this weekend and then look forward to a big Test match against Australia next weekend.
“There were a lot of boys cramping up last night, which is understandable having played England, travelling home and then playing against an incredibly tough Fiji side. We wouldn’t have expected anything else.
“It was a brutal Test match. Obviously there are a lot of battered bodies. To play two Test matches to the standard we have played over the last few days is huge. It doesn’t bear thinking about what these boys have gone through.”
Even if England lose, we will still be looking forward to Australia
Wales have a huge vested interest in today’s crunch Pool A game. If Australia win, Wales are guaranteed a passage to the quarter-finals but if England are victorious the Welsh could well become the first side in World Cup history to win three pool games and not qualify from their group, should they lose their final match against Australia.
Jenkins added: “What will be will be. Whatever happens [between England and Australia this evening], we have got to turn up a week Saturday and win, that’s simple.
“Even if England did lose and go out, we will still be looking forward to the Australia game. It’s a game we want to win because we want to go through as group winners. I think the focus for us is on a week Saturday.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments