Four more Wales players potentially out of Autumn Nations Series
Wayne Pivac's Wales have been hit by a spate of late injuries on the eve of the Autumn Nations Series.
In recent weeks Pivac has had to worry about being without star flyhalf Dan Biggar, but a brutal weekend in the URC has added fresh casualties to a seemingly ever-growing injury list.
George North and Dewi Lake have both suffered injuries that are likely to rule them out of one or more games during the series. North left the field during the Ospreys loss to the Dragons with a knee injury, while Lake had his arm in a sling after the game with what is reportedly a shoulder injury.
It has also emerged that British & Irish Lions wingers Josh Adams and Alex Cuthbert also look likely to miss at least a chunk of the November Test window as a result of ongoing injuries.
Adding to Pivac's woes are that Biggar's potential replacement, Gareth Anscombe is yet to recover from a rib injury, while recalled veteran Leigh Halfpenny pulled out of the Scarlets game on the weekend with a hamstring issue.
Pivac is already without Dragons back row Taine Basham and prop Leon Brown, Cardiff lock Seb Davies, back row Josh Navidi and star fullback Liam Williams; Scarlets prop Wyn Jones and centre Johnny Williams.
An additional six players could now be added to compound Pivac's ever-dwindling selection resources.
Of course injuries to star players could potentially open the door for up-and-comers to make a name for themselves in a Wales matchday 22. Dragons winger Rio Dyer continues to impress at Rodney Parade for example, while looseforward Tommy Reffel has been pulling up proverbial trees for Leicester Tigers in this season's Gallagher Premiership.
UNAVAILABLE: Taine Basham, Dan Biggar, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams, George North, Dewi Lake, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert
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In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
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