Rugby:Scotland winger Nikki Walker has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in the 23-12 win over Italy yesterday, the Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed.
The Ospreys back came on after 54 minutes but did not complete the match after being taken off on a stretcher with three minutes remaining following an innocuous-looking tackle.
Walker went for medical assessments on the injury and a medial ligament problem was diagnosed, ruling him out of the tournament in New Zealand which begins next month.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson, who is to name his 30-man World Cup squad tomorrow, said: “Nikki has worked exceptionally hard in training and some of the running lines he made yesterday when he came off the bench were first-class.
“It’s obviously disappointing for Nikki. We all feel for him but injuries do happen in sport and you just have to deal with them. We wish Nikki a speedy recovery.”
Walker won his 24th cap yesterday and has scored six Test tries, including in March’s win over Italy in the Six Nations.
The 29-year-old will now return to his club, where he will undergo further assessments and the Ospreys medical team will lead his rehabilitation.
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