Wales's win over Uruguay marred by yet more injuries

Wales laboured to a comprehensive 54-9 victory over Uruguay but at a high cost as the already injury-hit squad suffered yet further losses.

A nervy start from Warren Gatland’s men saw them fall 6-0 behind courtesy of the boot of the excellent Felipe Berchesi.

But Wales recovered their tempo to respond with four first half tries, including a Cory Allen hat-trick, to settle the nerves of their fans.

Four further tries followed in the second half to round off a convincing scoreline and the bonus point, but some serious looking injuries to full-back Liam Williams, prop Paul James and hat-trick man Allen marred the win.

Williams was already filling in for Leigh Halfpenny at number 15, while the man called into the squad for Halfpenny - wing Eli Walker - is also out of the tournament, leaving the proud rugby nation almost out of options.

And with both England and Australia to come in the so called ‘Pool of Death’, the task of wales making it out of the group has become even tougher.

2’ – Wales 0-3 Uruguay – penalty: An early tackle from Ormaechea on Warburton and Uruguay win an early penalty with Wales going off their feet. Felipe Berchesi puts Uruguay ahead.

9’ – Wales 0-6 Uruguay – penalty: Berchesi slots another simple kick.

15’ – Wales 7-6 Uruguay – try: The Welsh rolling maul does its job and it’s Samson Lee who collapses onto the ground with the ball in hand. Priestland converts.

19’ – Wales 14-6 Uruguay – try: A lovely chip over the top from Priestland finds Cory Allen, who catches the ball before charging for the line and falling over. Priestland converts.

23’ – Wales 14-9 Uruguay – penalty: Berchesi slots another penalty to put Uruguay back in touch.

30’ – Wales 21-6 Uruguay – try: A second for Cory Allen, bursting through after a good pass from Gareth Davies. Priestland adds the extras.

41’ – Wales 28-6 Uruguay – try: It goes through the hands and it’s a hat-trick for Allen, who is put in by Amos after great initial play from Tipuric.

50’ – Wales 35-9 Uruguay – try: They’re up and running now as Hallam Amos takes the ball from an inside Davies pass and dives over for a deserved try. Priestland converts for Wales 35-9.

59’ – Wales 40-9 Uruguay – try: Gareth Davies snipes off the ruck to dart over for Wales’ sixth try. The conversion is missed.

71’ – Wales 47-9 Uruguay – try: Another penalty and again Wales pop it in the corner. The drive comes on and Tipuric is over without dropping the ball this time. Priestland converts to make it Wales 47-9 Uruguay.

80’ – Wales 54-9 Uruguay – try: It’s Davies who dives over from the back of the maul for his second try. The conversion follows to make it wales 54-9 Uruguay.

Wales’ awful injury luck. With Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny already out injured, further big doubts over fullback Liam Williams, prop Paul James and hat-trick centre Cory Allen marred the win. It was already going to be tough for Wales to make it out of the group, but now you have to wonder what chance they have. That said, New Zealand made it all the way to lifting the trophy four years ago despite playing with their third choice number 10. World Cups are often the perfect forging grounds for new men to emerge as world class players.

Yet instead of a face for the future it could be a face from the past who emerges to save Wales: Gavin Henson, playing well for Bristol, may yet get a call-up.

Samson Lee became the youngest prop to score a try in a Rugby World Cup match when he crossed for Wales’ opener (22 years 294 days).

Felipe Berchesi’s nine points was a joint record haul for any Uruguay player in a Rugby World Cup match (Diego Aguirre – 9 v Scotland, 1999).

Wales have won consecutive games at the Millennium Stadium for the first time since March 2014.

Cory Allen became the fifth player to score a hat-trick for Wales in the Rugby World Cup, and just the second since 1995.

Justin Tipuric has scored a try in each of his last three games for Wales after not scoring any in his first 31 games for his country.