Wales left to pick up and carry on after ‘massive blow’ ahead of Rugby World Cup

With Rhys Webb joining Leigh Halfpenny in missing the Rugby World Cup, Wales have called on Mike Phillips and Eli Walker as well as a team-wide resilience.

Wales' Rhys Webb lies on the ground after getting injured during the Rugby World Cup warm-up international against Italy on Saturday. Joe Giddens / PA / AP / September 5, 2015

Wales' 2015 Rugby World Cup hopes took another heavy blow on Tuesday with the announcement that first-choice scrum-half Rhys Webb has been ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury.

Webb, last season’s Welsh player of the year, was injured during the 23-19 World Cup warm-up victory over Italy in Cardiff on Saturday.

“Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb has sustained a significant mid-foot injury ruling him out of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup,” the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said in a press release.

“Rhys will undergo further examination and assessments on both his foot and knee before further details can be announced.”

The news comes just a day after full-back Leigh Halfpenny was also ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining knee ligament damage in the same game.

In a statement, Webb said: “Really disappointed to be ruled out of the RWC. After all the hard work I’ve put in over the summer, words can’t describe how I’m feeling.

“I really believe that Wales can go on and create something special. I appreciate all the messages. It’s great to have so much support from all around the world, but let’s get behind the boys. See you in 2016.”

Read more: Paul Radley on up-against-it Wales and their fighting spirit

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has called Mike Phillips and Eli Walker into his World Cup squad to cover for Webb and Halfpenny.

Racing-Metro scrum-half Phillips has won 94 caps for Wales and was a surprise omission when Gatland named his 31-man tournament squad, while Ospreys wing Walker made his international debut against Ireland last month.

“It is extremely disappointing for both Leigh and Rhys,” Gatland said.

“They have worked exceptionally hard to establish themselves on the world stage and to prepare for the tournament and we wish them all the best with their recovery.

“After announcing the squad we spoke about the need for players to remain ready for action and it is a great opportunity for Mike and Eli.

“It’s great that we can call on players of this calibre. To bring Mike’s experience into the squad is a bonus along with Eli’s exciting talent.”

Reflecting on his call-up, Phillips told AFP: “I’m very, very happy, obviously. It’s just very sad for Rhys. He’s been Wales’ best player last season, so it’s very sad for him, but it’s a chance for me to come back.

“It’s my third World Cup and I’m hoping to get my 100th cap. I’ll give it my best.”

Wales are in the toughest-looking group in the first round of the World Cup, up against hosts England, former winners Australia, Fiji and Uruguay.

Gatland, meanwhile, has come under fire from former Wales wing Shane Williams for not keeping Halfpenny out of the line of fire against Italy.

“It’s just horrendous for Wales,” said Williams.

“Rhys Webb has been the form player for Wales over the last two seasons. To lose Halfpenny as well, it’s just a massive blow for Wales and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“You kind of thought, ‘Do we need this guy on the field?’ Let’s wrap him up in cotton wool and roll him out when we really need him.

“It is a massive blow and Wales is in mourning already. Especially with Halfpenny – he was strapped up on his leg anyway.”

However, centre Jamie Roberts defended Wales’ right to play warm-up matches.

“Warm-up games are important, for the lads to get up to match fitness,” he said.

“These injuries can happen in training, and can happen in games. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing. If we beat Italy by 60 points at the weekend with a clean bill of health it’s a great exercise, so what can you say?

“It’s very easy to make comments like (Williams’) after. But it’s a blow, there’s no doubting that.”

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