Wales were in a real scrap, for about 15 minutes.
Warren Gatland’s side trailed Uruguay 6-0 after 15 minutes of their Pool A clash at the Millennium Stadium but rallied to put the game to bed by half-time.
Cardiff Blues centre Cory Allen was given his chance in the Wales midfield and has made a strong claim to start next Saturday’s clash with England.
Allen ran in a first half hat-trick and paid tribute to his Blues teammate Owen Williams, who badly injured his spine during a Sevens tournament in the Far East, last year.
He was hospitalised for 10 months before his release – to rehab at home – in April.
A fundraising and support campaign – #StatStrongForOws – has been running ever since his awful injury.
The hat-trick is the greatest achievement, to date, in Allen’s career but he still took time to pay a touching tribute to his colleague and friend.
A wonderful moment#STAYSTRONGFOROWS http://t.co/BC1yLH3NPr pic.twitter.com/biv16DOx2E
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) September 20, 2015
Wales were 28-9 up at the break and pushed on in the second half to pile on another 26 points.
Unfortunately for Allen, his game ended prematurely with a “significant” hamstring injury.
