The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsWith the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has sprung a huge surprise with the axing of James Hook, Richard Hibbard and Mike Phillips from his squad.
All three players have also played for the British and Irish Lions but have been axed from the squad for the 2015 World Cup which gets underway in September. The biggest surprise is the omission of Hibberd, who many saw as a shoe in for selection but the form of both Hook and Phillips in recent months has seen their stock dramatically drop and they have paid the price.
It is thought that there will be no way back for both Hook and Phillips as Wales players, with the end of their international careers seemingly over. Hook has been in and out of the Wales side under Gatland and it is arguably no surprise that he finds himself cut, whilst Phillips has paid the price for plying his trade in France since 2011.
The squad was cut to 38, with seven more to be trimmed before the final deadline with Nicky Smith, Rory Thornton, Dan Baker, Rhys Patchell and Jack Dixon all cut alongside the trio.
Wales go into the World Cup in somewhat poor form, having recently been taken apart by Ireland and coach Warren Gatland said ” There will be disappointment from the players but it’s important to stress that the door is not closed. We name our final Rugby World Cup squad on 31 August and a lot can happen between now and then.”
Wales are in Group A in the World Cup and they will face England, Australia, Uruguay and Fiji.
