Controversial Wales selection Plumtree a World Cup doubt

Controversial selection Taine Plumtree’s Rugby World Cup participation has been thrown into doubt after he left the field against England in their Summner Nations Series clash in Twickenham.

The twenty-three-year-old former New Zealand U20 loose forward featured off the bench against England last weekend, having just signed for Welsh URC side Scarlets this June. He started at No.8 today but his match came to an unplanned end after he appeared to suffer an arm injury.

Swansea-born Plumtree, whose rugby education came in the southern hemisphere’s Super Rugby competition, only linked up with Wales ahead of their mid-July training camp in Switzerland.

He had played just six Super Rugby games for the Blues, leading some to criticise his lighting-fast ascension into the Wales squad.

Before going off Wales No.8 Taine Plumtree did manage this delicious 50:22 #ENGvWAL pic.twitter.com/KeYdpKzcSg

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2023

One of the most vocal critics of his selection is Ross Moriarty, who walked away from Wales selection earlier the in year shortly after Warren Gatland took over the reins for a second stint as head coach.

“‘Must be a kick in the teeth to the back rowers who play in wales [sic] and moved back to wales [sic] to see lad who played 6 professional games get a cap for wales [sic] really takes the mick out of the passion for the badge” Moriarty posted in a reply to a picture of Wales’ new cap on Instagram, which he ultimately deleted.

A thoroughly awful match to watch, the game took a heavy toll on players for both sides. Leicester scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet was carried off in the first half, while Wales captain Dewi Lake also limped off.

additional reporting PA