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Just days after being called up as a replacement for Leigh Halfpenny in the Welsh squad, Eli Walker has had to drop out with a hamstring injury without making an appearance in the World Cup. Gloucester loose forward Ross Moriarty is in as his replacement, with Warren Gatland evidently confident that his outside back options are sufficient.
Walker has had terrible luck, having been called up to the Wales squad on multiple occasions in the past, only to fall victim to injury. The speedy Ospreys wing won his first and only cap in August against Ireland, and would have several more by now if not for his fitness woes.
Moriarty was first a surprise inclusion in Gatland’s World Cup training squad, having recently represented England at u20 level, and was then a surprise omission from the final tournament group. A serious injury scare to Alun Wyn Jones prompted Gatland to take five second rows instead, and most will feel that the extra back row is a sensible option, particularly given there was no obvious backup to Toby Faletau at no8.
An abrasive character whose father Paul won 21 caps for Wales, Ross now has two caps to his name, starting against Ireland in August and coming on as a reserve against Italy just 10 days ago. He is seen as being able to cover across the back row, though is most often utilised as a blindside flanker or no8.
