WELSH IN THE RIGHT LANE AFTER PRINCE POPS BY FOR A VISIT

OWEN LANE’S late call-up to Wales’s World Cup squad has turned out to be by Royal appointment. The Cardiff Blues wing, 21, who has replaced the injured Josh Navidi, was presented with his World Cup cap at training by the Prince of Wales. The heir to the throne was in Tokyo for the enthronement of Japan’s new emperor, but called in to pass on his best wishes ahead of Sunday’s semifinal against South Africa. “It was nice of him to pop along because he has a busy schedule. The boys really appreciated it and it was a special occasion for Owen,” said Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes. Lane, 21, who scored on his debut against Ireland in August, was called in as cover both for his favoured wing position and at centre. “He can play in both positions,” said Parkes. “He’s a winger, I think, foremost, but he can certainly play centre as well. He is a strong runner and a good all-round talent.

He was probably unlucky to miss out in the first instance. “He has only just got in. Hopefully, he will be up and running on Friday. That’s the most important thing for us – getting the extra back that we’ve needed.” Wales have concerns in midfield with Jonathan Davies’s knee injury and Parkes managing a shoulder problem. Parkes claimed, with a wink, to be “99 per cent fit” but Davies is a major worry. “He is a key player for us, a big player, someone that we need fit, realistically,” said skills coach Neil Jenkins. “These games don’t come around often. Sometimes, even if your leg is hanging off, you need to strap it yourself and get yourself right.” Buoyed as they might have been by their Royal visit, the squad did not report too much in the way of technical expertise from the Prince of Wales. “He just said: ‘They’re bloody big buggers, aren’t they?’ And left it at that,” said hooker Ken Owens.

SURPRISE VISITOR Lane was presented cap by Prince Charles