Eli Walker called into Wales' World Cup squad in place of injured Liam Williams
Eli Walker will link up with the Wales squad as a replacement for Liam Williams
©PA
The Welsh Rugby Union has announced that Wales have called up Ospreys wing Eli Walker into their World Cup squad following Liam Williams’ tournament-ending injury.
Scarlets back Williams suffered a foot injury during Wales' 15-6 defeat against Australia in last Saturday's Pool A decider at Twickenham.
Walker has linked up with Wales immediately at their training base in Surrey ahead of this weekend's quarter-final clash with two-time world champions South Africa.
A statement from the WRU on Tuesday morning confirmed: "Ospreys wing Eli Walker has been called into Wales' Rugby World Cup squad and will link up with the squad immediately.
"The 23-year-old was originally named in the 31-man RWC squad but was released due to injury ahead of the tournament.
"Walker replaces Liam Williams, who was released on Sunday."
Williams, who also suffered a concussion during the 28-25 victory over England a fortnight ago, returned to action for the Wallabies clash only to limp off nursing a foot problem as Wales' hellish injury count continues to climb.
The 24-year-old became the sixth member of the squad initially picked to start the tournament that has since been ruled out by injury, following Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos and Cory Allen.
But despite the decimation of their first choice backline, Wales still managed to emerged from the tournament 's so-called 'pool of death' in second place behind Australia, and will face the Springboks in the first of the quarter-final ties at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.
''We are very sorry for Liam. He has been outstanding in the last couple of years,'' Wales assistant coach and skills specialist Neil Jenkins said on Sunday.
''He's a huge player for us, and he did well again (on Saturday). He will be a huge loss, but we have had quite a few injuries now and we have to get on with it.
''The amount of players we have lost isn't ideal. We are a pretty small nation anyway, but we still had a pretty potent back line out there on Saturday and I am sure it will be the same again next weekend.
''We have had incredible bad luck, there is no doubt about that.''
