Ruaridh McConnochie
Ruaridh McConnochie

England's Ruaridh McConnochie ruled out of Wales clash with muscle injury


England have been forced to make a late change for their World Cup warm-up game against Wales in Cardiff after Ruaridh McConnochie dropped out through injury.

The Bath back has suffered a "minor muscle strain" and will be replaced on the right wing by club-mate Anthony Watson, England announced on their official Twitter account.

It is the second time in the space of six days that injury has prevented the 27-year-old from making his England debut.

McConnochie was due to play in the opening fixture of England's build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan last weekend.

But he missed the 33-19 victory against Wales at Twickenham with a hip problem.

The winger is a sevens specialist who won a silver medal with Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Bath team-mate Watson made his comeback from a serious Achilles injury in last weekend's win.

It then became Wales' turn to lose a player before a ball was kicked as Liam Williams was withdrawn after suffering an unspecified injury during the warm-up.

To fill the gap, Leigh Halfpenny was brought in from outside the 23 in his first Wales appearance since being concussed against Australia last November.

Halfpenny missed the entire Six Nations as a result of the head injury.

Related World Cup links

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