Ian Gough has been called into the Wales tour party leaving for the two-Test challenge against New Zealand on Wednesday in place of Cardiff Blues flanker Sam Warburton.
Warburton was withdrawn with a dead leg late into the second half of Wales’ close fought 34-31 loss against the world champion South Africans in the Principality Building Society Summer Test at the Millennium Stadium last weekend, but a scan later in the day revealed he had suffered a fractured jaw earlier in the game.
“A scan after the game revealed a fracture to Sam’s jaw which will prevent him from playing for at least a four week period,” explained Wales team physio Mark Davies.
“He picked up the injury in the first half, but was able to continue to play a part in the game and actually made no mention of it himself until after the final whistle. A closer inspection later on revealed the full extent of the problem.”
Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker won his first cap as a direct replacement for Warburton and Wales also have specialist cover in that position in the form of the experienced Dragons back row international Gavin Thomas.
That has allowed Warren Gatland to call-up the 63-times capped Ospreys lock Ian Gough as a forward replacement.