Rugby World Cup Injured XV

As England 2015 heads into the knockout stages, there is a chance to reflect on the competition so far.

This year’s Rugby World Cup has already had some fantastic moments and will be remembered for Japan’s performances, Mamuka Gorgodze’s gargantuan efforts and, less fantastically for some, England being the first host nation never to make it out of the pool stages.

However, there are also issues of Tier 2 nation’s turnaround times and handling of disciplinary issues that are making the wrong sort of headlines, as is the issues of injuries.

After the first round of fixtures, Japan Head Coach Eddie Jones commented on the size of the players and the collisions in the modern game, and the impact this can have.

 Jones has been proven right. As the pool stages come to a close, more than 20 players have had their World Cup dreams shattered by injury, the latest of which being Paul O’Connell, the Irish captain having played his last test for his country after being carried off against France.

With the startling rate of injuries, it is now possible to draw together a tasting looking  ‘Injured XV’ of players who have been injured throughout the pool stages, although in three cases they were injured in the build up to England 2015, where possible this is a XV made up of those injured during the competition

1. Logovi’I Mulipola (Injured before the tournament) – Drawn in Pool B alongside the USA, Scotland, Japan and South Africa, hopes were high going into the World Cup for Samoa to make it thorough to the knockouts. In the end even Japan with three wins were unable to qualify form the group and the Leicester prop could have added some serious weight to the Samoa pack as well as his devastating running in the loose to aid their cause.
2. Stuart McInally (injured before the World Cup) – The second of three who were injured before the World Cup, Edinburgh’s McInally looked to be set to travel to England, but a neck injury forced him out of the competition.
3. Isei Colati: A victim of a training park injury. The USON Rugby prop was on the bench for Fiji’s Pool A matches versus England and Australia but the knee injury sustained in training ruled him out of the remainder of the competition.
4. Paul O’Connell: Simply devastating. The Ireland skipper is the talisman of the side and an all time legend of the game. Crucial for his leadership and set piece skills. A horrible sight for all rugby fans who would of loved to see O’Connell finish his international career on a high, rather that a stretcher.
5. Will Skelton: The Wallaby giant was an early injury, succumbing to a pectoral injury against Uruguay. Almost a guaranteed try form five metres out, the New South Wales wrecking ball will be sorely missed.
6. Billy Vunipola: Normally an eight, the England and Saracens back row packs down on the blind side in this XV. Dynamic from the base and a key part of England’s attack, Vunipola’s knee ligament strain added salt to the wound as England lost out to Wales.
7. Peter O’Mahony: Another key member of the Ireland squad ruled out during their victory over France. O’Mahony was forced out after damaging his knee ligaments and will be missed just a much as O’Connell, instrumental in their plans to be crowned World Champions.
8. Wycliff Palu: Another Wallaby injured versus Uruguay, Palu probably would have played second fiddle to the Hooper/Pocock axis but provides another angle of attack had he remained fit
9. Rhys Webb (Injured before the tournament): One of the many devastating injuries to hit the Wales camp. The young scrum half was set to bring the tournament to life having been in incredible form in the build up. Instead, a foot injury versus Italy saw him miss the tournament and now faces a battle to be fit at all this season
10. Andrea Masi: Slightly shoe-horned in at 10 following very few injuries in this department but the Italian playmaker has proven himself at stand-off before. A crucial player for Italy with creativity and experience in spades, an Achilles injuries versus France in game one saw him miss the remainder of the competition.
11. Liam Williams: Injured to fit and back to being injured, England 2015 hasn’t been kind to Liam Williams. His latest set back came in the defeat to Australia, leaving Wales dangerously thin on the ground in the back three.
12. Jean De Villiers: You cant help but feel for the talismanic Springbok. An incredible battle to fitness following a devastating knee injury saw the South African captain return just in time for the World Cup only to break his jaw versus Samoa and force his retirement from Test Rugby, a sad day for the sport.
13. Cory Allen: Hat-trick hero in the opening game of the World Cup for Wales, his excellent display versus Uruguay was ruined when he picked up a hamstring injury and ended his tournament far too early.
14. Waisea Nayacalevu: A damaged knee in the Pool A encounter versus Australia forced the Fijian flyer out of the tournament. The Stade Francias winger could have added serious fire power to the Fijian ranks and was a huge loss.
15. Yoann Huget: The imperious French full back was a cruel blow to French hopes. After incredible form for his country over recent years, Huget is a game changer. Injury in game one versus Italy forced him out and put a real spanner in the works for the French.