Wales call up Tyler Morgan after Cory Allen injury blow

Wales' World Cup squad arrived in London on Monday ahead of a crunch clash against host nation England - but not before they lost another player through injury.

Cardiff Blues centre Cory Allen was released from the squad after suffering a hamstring injury during Wales' 54-9 victory over opening tournament opponents Uruguay.

Allen, who scored three tries before going off injured, will be replaced by Newport Gwent Dragons' Tyler Morgan. The 20-year-old was part of Wales' training group, but he did not make the final 31-man cut last month.

Allen, 22, had become only the fifth Wales player in World Cup history to score a hat-trick of tries before departing the action in Cardiff on Sunday.

And he now joins Leigh Halfpenny (knee) and Rhys Webb (foot) in suffering a World Cup knockout blow, while Halfpenny's squad replacement Eli Walker was released due to a hamstring problem just a week after being called up.

Morgan, who made his Test debut in the warm-up defeat at home to Ireland just over six weeks ago, follows scrum-half Mike Phillips and back-row forward Ross Moriarty in linking up with the World Cup squad after originally missing out on selection.

"It's disappointing to lose Cory in this way, especially following his man-of-the-match display against Uruguay," Wales head coach Warren Gatland said on Monday.

"Tyler was part of our extended squad and trained very well."

But Wales' injury worries might not necessarily end with the loss of four times-capped Allen as they build towards facing fellow Pool A heavyweights England at Twickenham next Saturday.

Full-back Liam Williams, playing his first game since the end of last season due to foot trouble, picked up a thigh injury against Uruguay, while Paul James and Samson Lee experienced tight calf muscles, with their fellow prop Aaron Jarvis suffering rib damage.

If Gatland decides that he needs to replace one of his props, then the likes of Rob Evans, Nicky Smith and Scott Andrews could come into the equation.

Wales hooker Scott Baldwin, meanwhile, has no doubt how Wales must approach a game that will either maintain a strong quarter-final course or leave them scrapping to avoid pool stage elimination.

Asked if it was a win-or-bust scenario, Baldwin said: "That's the mentality we've got to go in with, and that is what the coaches put on us.

"We are going into every game looking to win it. We're not looking to come second in this group - we want to win it.

"Obviously, there is a lot of pressure on them (England), but I am sure they will rise to it, as we will rise to it, going to Twickenham.

"We don't fear going away from home, as we showed in the Six Nations, and we're going up there full of confidence and looking to get the result we want.

"I've never been to Twickenham before, and if selected it will be a great opportunity and one I look forward to.

"I've never been as a fan either, so it will be a new experience for me."