Welsh fans in mourning over Hill as debate rages online over his replacement

Injured Wales second-row Cory Hill has done enough to earn him a place in this year’s World Cup despite picking up an ankle injury, according to the fans on Twitter.

The 27-year-old will miss the rest of the Six Nations after injuring himself in the act of scoring on Saturday, but many believe that he has done enough this Championship to earn a place in Warren Gatland’s World Cup squad, particularly after his performance against England.

The Dragon was immense against Eddie Jones’ side, displaying a tireless workrate and hitting a huge number of rucks. He capped his performance off with Wales’ first try of the match, running a wonderful line and crashing through the English defence.

In light of the injury, former Wales number eight Andy Powell took to Twitter to say how immense Hill has been throughout the tournament and that he is guaranteed to go to the World Cup:

Absolutely gutted for @coryhill_ who will miss the next two @SixNationsRugby games !! He’s been playing some of the best rugby in his life !! He’s guaranteed to have a place in the World Cup squad !!

— Andy Powell (@andypowell8) February 26, 2019

These sentiments were echoed by many fans, who also commented on his performances so far in the Championship:

Recover quickly and fully for the world cup.

— Prof Barbara Philips 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏉🇪🇺 (@bp308) February 26, 2019

A real loss to the team. Let’s get him fit for the World Cup.

— Mark Davies (@MRDavies1968) February 26, 2019

😭 One of the best players this 6 nations campaign speedy recovery Cory

— AaronOnX🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@JustMeeAaron) February 26, 2019

That’s a shame he will be a big blow to Wales. He was great in the England game.

— Ieuan Latham (@l_ieuan) February 26, 2019

A big miss he was immense Saturday

— Steve (@Williams30Steve) February 26, 2019

Absolutely gutted for @coryhill_ been absolutely immense!! 💪🏻👍🏻🏉

— ʙᴇᴛʜᴀɴ 🌼💛 (@Bethaan92) February 26, 2019

In Hill’s absence, fans have been speculating who will fill in at lock for the remaining games against Scotland and Ireland this season. Gatland has mixed his squad up, as Adam Beard partnered Alun-Wyn Jones against France in the opening round, and then partnered Jake Ball against Italy. It was Hill’s first start of the Six Nations against England, but he certainly gave a good account of himself.

With the match against Scotland on the horizon, Ball’s carrying ability makes him the fans’ favourite to start at Murrayfield in under two weeks’ time.

However, with Seb Davies, and even Bradley Davies, still in the mix to play for Wales, a lot is up for grabs in the competition to make the World Cup in September. With captain Jones obviously going to the World Cup, and Hill having impressed, the remaining locks will want to play well, but Ball seems to get the nod from the fans this week.

https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1100420762970845187

Personally I'd go for Ball against Scotland. We need good ball carriers and he always plays like a man on a mission.

— Mikey Roberts 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@mikeyroberts81) February 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/STEMCal/status/1100421888101228544

Jake Ball for me or Seb Davies.

— Jackie Phillips (@JeffPhillips6) February 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/aero_zeppelin/status/1100432114674290688