Wales’s relief at having their England‑based players available next week for the autumn series opener against Australia in Cardiff has been tempered by mounting injuries with the Northampton wing George North among four players receiving treatment.
North injured a hand playing for Northampton on Saturday, a day when two Scarlets players, the full-back Liam Williams and the second-row Jake Ball, left the field at Saracens with ankle and rib problems respectively. The region’s centre Scott Williams was withdrawn on the morning of the match at Allianz Park because of a strained ankle.
“None of the four has been ruled out of the Australia match,” the Wales forwards coach, Robin McBryde, said. “We are in dialogue with Northampton and George is working hard to get fit, as is Liam with our medics. Jake’s ribs are sore and Scott is back running but it is hard to determine now how long any of them will be out for.”
Wales will be without their Lions No8 Taulupe Faletau when they bid for a first win against Australia since 2008 as he recovers from a knee injury sustained on the opening weekend of the season, but he has not been ruled out of the series. Gloucester’s Ross Moriarty is in line to replace him at the back of the scrum while the national captain, Sam Warburton, may be released to his region, Cardiff Blues, this weekend as he has not played for a month.
“It is good that our England-based players are available for Australia but it highlights that they are in the worst position given the tug-of-war that exists between international and club rugby,” McBryde said.
“Anything to make a player’s life easier is good: we play a load of rugby and have one of the smallest playing bases. We have got to look after what we have.”
A year ago, Australia were preparing for the World Cup final against New Zealand, but they have been beaten 3-0 by both England and New Zealand this year, the first time they have suffered the indignity of a double whitewash. They have, though, won their past 11 Tests against Wales, including six in Cardiff.
“Australia are the second best team in the world,” McBryde said. “New Zealand are head and shoulders above everyone else and they were in the fight in Auckland on Saturday [before losing 37-10] for a long time. It will be a big challenge for us: we are trying to pump up the tyres and make sure we are there for the match.”
The Wales hooker Ken Owens believes Australia are stronger than their record this year suggests. “They have a strong forward pack and exciting backs,” he said. “We know that we are going to have to be at the top of our game to get the victory.”