[1/2]Rugby Union – Six Countries Championship – Wales Captain’s Run – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – March 17, 2023 Wales’ Ken Owens talks to the media after coaching REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/Record Picture
June 26 (Reuters) – Wales captain Ken Owens will pass over the Rugby Global Cup in France with harm, trainer Warren Gatland showed on Monday, every other blow to the aspect in a stricken build-up to the contest that has noticed a number of skilled gamers drop out of competition.
Hooker Owens, 36, isn’t anticipated to get well in time from a again harm and can make a reserve checklist at absolute best. He has been capped 91 occasions and led the aspect on this 12 months’s Six Countries.
“We gave Ken as a lot time as imaginable however his again has now not recovered,” Gatland instructed newshounds. “He would possibly want an operation so he is not going to be to be had for the Global Cup squad.
“He has now not retired from rugby and he is hoping if he recovers and will get himself proper at the pitch, probably he is also to be had (as a reserve call-up) if we pick out up accidents throughout the Global Cup.”
Again row Josh Macleod and prop Will Davies-King have additionally been launched from the squad because of harm, with hooker Sam Parry introduced in to interchange Owens.
Gatland has noticed various his skilled gamers drop out of the squad in fresh weeks. Again row Justin Tipuric, lock Alun Wyn Jones and scrumhalf Rhys Webb all introduced their global retirements after being named within the initial variety.
Flexible ahead Cory Hill, who can duvet the second one row and flanker positions, opted to absorb a freelance in Japan that makes him ineligible for the Global Cup.
Wales had been drawn in Pool C in France together with Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal. The highest two groups in every crew advance to the quarter-finals.
Reporting through Nick Stated
Enhancing through Christian Radnedge
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