Injuries have knocked our chances: Lee Byrne

Former Wales international Lee Byrne says that the recent injuries which Wales have suffered may lead to them not progressing from Pool A at the Rugby World Cup.

Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb will miss the tournament after being injured in their final warm-up game against Italy while Jonathon Davies has been ruled out since May with a knee injury.

Byrne would love to see Warren Garland’s side get out of the pool which contains England, Australia, Fiji and Uruguay, but believes the injuries which they have suffered gives them a slim chance of qualifying for the last eight.

“I just can’t see it happening if I’m honest,” said the former full-back. “My heart says that I would love to see us go all the way, but we have suffered two terrible injuries with Rhys and Leigh and it is a real blow to our chances.

“Rhys is one of the best scrum-halfs on the planet and we all know what Leigh is capable of. It will be tough for us.”

“Obviously you have England and Australia, but you can’t rule out Fiji either. I think we will struggle, but maybe the players coming can add something extra to the side.”

Byrne has suggested that fly-half Dan Bigger will now play a huge role in this Wales team as he can form a new half-back paring – likely to be with Gareth Davies - but also because of his goal kicking abilities which will rest upon his shoulders in the absence of Halfpenny.

“We will miss Leigh and Rhys because they are quality players said,” Byrne.

“However, this could be the chance for Dan Bigger and Mike Phillips to show their class too. I also think we look a more offensive side.

“Dan is an excellent kicker. He has something like an 80 per cent kick rate which isn’t bad at all.  He is used to high pressure kicking situations and in terms of Mike, we all know what he can do so let’s hope we see it during the tournament.

“I would also start Liam Williams at 15 too as he really can change the game for Wales. I know he hasn’t played in any of the warm-up matches due to his injury, but he poses a real attacking threat and he will be key for us.

Byrne also believes that the injuries to Halfpenny and Webb will not have affected Wales’ preparation too much as the players who could come in and fill the void would have been training with the squad and had the right conditioning to step up to the mark.

Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on Sunday and Byrne thinks that Warren Gatland should not play a weakened side in their opener.

There has also been the age old debate of whether Justin Tipuric & Sam Warburton should play together and Byrne feels that that combination will be seen during this tournament.

He added: “We should try and play our strongest side against Uruguay. We need to get as many points on the board as early as possible to give us the best chance of progressing.

“I know we have had the injuries and there is also that risk of injury too, but for me,  we should play to the best we can.

“I think we may see the usual back row of Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Toby [Taulupe] Faluetu, in the first game, but you can’t leave Justin out for too long.

“He has been playing so well lately and you can’t really put him in ahead of Warburton has he is captain, but I think we could see them pair up to combat the threat of Fiji and maybe Australia.”