Wales reveal surprise replacement for Navidi
WORLD CUP NEWS: Cardiff Blues wing Owen Lane will arrive in Japan Tuesday as a surprise replacement for injured No.8 Josh Navidi ahead of Sunday’s World Cup semifinal against South Africa, according to the Welsh Rugby Union.
Navidi sustained a grade two hamstring tear in the gripping 20-19 quarterfinal win over France.
With five of the six named loose forwards still fit, coach Warren Gatland warned Monday the replacement for Navidi would be a back.
And the WRU confirmed in a tweet that Lane was en route for Japan.
SQUAD UPDATE: @cardiff_blues wing @owen_lane has been called up to Wales’ 31-man #RWC2019 squad, replacing Josh Navidi.
Lane, who made his international debut earlier this year, will arrive in Japan later this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/KZ0uPiUEOj
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 22, 2019
Centre Jonathan Davies is nursing a knee injury that saw him ruled out of the France game an hour before kick-off and midfield partner Hadleigh Parkes played with a shoulder contusion and a bone fracture in his hand.
Davies is expected to be fit and available for Sunday’s semi against the Springboks, but should one centre break down, it is likely winger George North would be considered as cover given that Lane is an out-and-out wing.
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