Veteran lock Bradley Davies will join the Wales squad at the Rugby World Cup as an injury replacement and could be rushed into an appearance against the Wallabies.

The Welsh confirmed on Tuesday that second-rower Cory Hill had been ruled out of the tournament without playing a game, having failed to recover from a stress fracture.

Davies, 32, was set to join his countrymen in Tokyo on Wednesday for his third World Cup campaign, arriving four days out from their crucial group match against Australia.

Adam Beard won’t be fit for the match after having his appendix removed, leaving just two fit locks – Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball.

They are set to start, with Davies potentially employed as bench cover.

Coach Warren Gatland said there had also been concern over the fitness of inside centre Hadleigh Parkes, who fractured a bone in his hand during the 43-14 win over Georgia on Monday.

However, Parkes had been cleared to train and play this week along with seasoned hooker Ken Owens (knee).