Rugby World Cup
Matthew Morgan included in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad
Tom Hamilton
August 31, 2015
© (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Warren Gatland has included Matthew Morgan in Wales' final 31-man Rugby World Cup squad and has followed Australia's lead in only naming two hookers.

Morgan is one of three surprise calls by Gatland with Cardiff Blues' Cory Allen and Bath lock Dom Day also given the nod. Allen is yet to play in either of Wales' warm-up matches while Day has one cap to his name having made his debut against Ireland on August 8.

While those trio can look forward to the tournament, the seven unlucky players who have missed out as Gatland trimmed his squad from 38 to 31 are: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Eli Walker (Ospreys) and Tyler Morgan (Dragons).

Liam Williams and Samson Lee have both been included despite carrying injuries while Alun Wyn Jones is out for two weeks following Saturday's loss in Dublin. Lee should be fit for their World Cup opener against Uruguay while Wales are still monitoring Williams but their continued return to full fitness meant Gatland could not afford to include the currently injured Anscombe.

"Alun Wyn Jones picked up a medial strain at the weekend so that's a couple of weeks," Gatland said. "We've picked five locks so if people pick up knocks we can cover them. We need to make sure the strong is squad. That was a tough call and a lot of players have worked hard. We're already carrying Samson Lee and Liam Williams with injuries and Gareth Anscombe is unlucky. We felt we couldn't afford to carry more injuries."

And one of the main surprises in the Wales squad was Gatland's decision to take just two hookers. He admitted "it was always our intention to take three" but has ended up with Ken Owens and Scott Baldwin and five second-rows. But he did emphasise Dacey and the previously exiled Richard Hibbard should stay available in case of injury.

Gatland has kept the faith with young Exeter tight-head Tomas Francis who made his debut against Ireland last weekend.

And British & Irish Lions wing Alex Cuthbert, who was another reportedly a doubt to make the final 31, has won his place at the expense of Ospreys' winger Walker. Gatland added: "Alex Cuthbert hasn't probably played as well as he'd like but we'll get him up to speed. He has such a good record for us and we'll make sure he gets the ball into his hands."

Sam Warburton will captain the team as they prepare to take on a Pool that includes England, Australia, Uruguay and Fiji.

"I am looking forward to the game next weekend between England and Ireland, because whoever loses is going to lose two in a row which puts them under a little bit of pressure," Gatland said. "It's a massive game for England and Ireland.

"This group potentially is going to come down to the bounce of the ball and a refereeing decision, and that's the way it is."

Wales Squad:

Forwards: Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dominic Day (Bath), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues).

Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

© Tom Hamilton

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