9 Aug 2011

Wales fullback has successful surgery on broken leg

6:17 am on 9 August 2011

Wales fullback Morgan Stoddart underwent what the Welsh Rugby Union says was "successful" surgery on the broken left leg he suffered in a World Cup warm-up defeat against England last weekend.

But the WRU says it's impossible at this stage to suggest how long the Llanelli Scarlets back would be out of the game.

Nevertheless, it appears all but inconceivable Stoddart will be fit in time for the World Cup which gets underway in New Zealand next month.

However, there was better news for Wales coach Warren Gatland regarding the fitness of three other players ahead of this coming Sunday's return match against England at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Fullback Lee Byrne (knee), playmaker James Hook (shoulder) and prop forward Adam Jones (toe) have all been declared available for selection this weekend.

But Wales are still waiting on Stephen Jones (calf) and his Llanelli colleague and regular Test captain Matthew Rees (neck), both of whom missed the Twickenham clash.