Cory Allen probably out of Wales' World Cup campaign with hamstring tear
Last Updated: 20/09/15 9:09pm
Warren Gatland fears Cory Allen suffered a torn hamstring in the 54-9 win over Uruguay and could miss the rest of the World Cup.
The Wales coach said Allen will get a scan on his injury on Monday, and a decision will be made after the results are received, but he was not confident the Cardiff centre would be fit enough to play any further part in the competition.
At a press conference following Wales' win in their opening Pool A encounter at the Millennium Stadium, Gatland said: "It looks like Cory has a significant tear in his hamstring and it looks at this stage like he'll have to be replaced."
Allen scored three of Wales' four first-half tries which earned them the bonus point but was helped off in the second half in what was an unexceptional victory over Uruguay's amateur players, who were beaten 111-13 by England in the 2003 tournament.
Full-back Liam Williams and prop Paul James were first-half casualties for Wales but their prognosis was more positive, although another change in the front-row looks likely with props Samson Lee reporting a tight calf and Aaron Jarvis a damaged rib.
Gatland, who lost star players Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb to serious injuries on the eve of the World Cup, said: "Liam will be scanned tomorrow too.
Liam had a knock on the thigh but it's too early to see for next week. We'll have to wait 24 hours to make an assessment.
"Paul James had a tight calf. Dan Lydiate had a head assessment and has passed that, which is great - he will be able to play a full part in training next week.
"We may have to make a tough decision in terms of the props with five. We only had three that could take the field and we have to have four. We may have to make a difficult call and replace one of the props."
On the plus side, skipper Sam Warburton will be fine to play against England at Twickenham on Saturday after being withdrawn with a groin problem.
Gatland defended criticism of Wales' preparation with so many injuries beginning to undermine their World Cup challenge.
The New Zealander said the injuries were simply a case of bad luck and insisted Wales were still in good shape ahead of meeting England.
"I don't think we look at the preparation because we know we're in good shape," he said. "Sometimes you just get bad luck and we've had that at the moment. That happens at this level."
Gatland, who coached the British and Irish Lions on their 2013 tour of Australia, added that, injuries aside, he was satisfied to get Wales' first World Cup game behind them.
"It was a very tough game," he said, "Uruguay made it tough for us right from the start.
"It was quite dewy out there and the ball was a bit slippery so there were a few turnovers but we're satisfied to get the first one under our belt and to get the win."
Uruguay face Australia at Villa Park on Sunday, September 27 and their coach Pablo Lemoine said: "I'm still proud of my players after the performance.
"It was our first game at the Millennium Stadium against Wales and the first match against a tier-one nation in some 15 years."
Lemoine said his team had been inspired by Japan's stunning upset win over South Africa on Saturday.
"In the last 20 days, we have been in Japan playing two Tests," he said. "Of course Japan have much better players and a big structure and played to a good level in last five or six years, but that result inspired all tier-two countries."