WARREN head coach Warren Gatland says that prop Samson Lee's World Cup prospects are "50-50" after he was injured during last Saturday's RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland.

Gatland has confirmed that Lee, who was carried off just 14 minutes into the Ireland game, suffered a full rupture of his Achilles.

Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis will replace him for next Saturday's Six Nations appointment with Italy in Rome, with loosehead Rob Evans taking over from Gethin Jenkins, who has a hamstring problem.

Gatland said: "We were hoping he (Lee) was going to have surgery on Monday, but there was too much swelling, and it has been put back a week.

"He is a 50-50 chance for the World Cup, but we are confident he has enough time to get back and be available for the World Cup. If things go well, he will not be far away."