WALES have seven more calls to make after Warren Gatland sensationally cut a trio of Lions along with a young Dragon from his World Cup squad.

The England 2015 dreams of hooker Richard Hibbard, fly-half James Hook and scrum-half Mike Phillips were ended yesterday when the training squad was trimmed down to 38.

Uncapped centre Jack Dixon was also released back to Newport Gwent Dragons despite making an impression in the conditioning camps in Switzerland, Qatar and north Wales.

The 20-year-old from Newbridge is seen as one for the future and won't be going to World Cup unless there are injuries.

Loosehead prop Nicky Smith, lock Rory Thornton, number eight Dan Baker (all Ospreys) and fly-half Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues) have also been cut.

It leaves Gatland with seven more players to trim with his decisions shaped by whether he goes with an 18/13 or 17/14 split of forwards and backs.

The former appears more likely as long as wing Liam Williams proves his fitness ahead of the August 31 deadline.

Newport Gwent Dragons are certain to provide one player at the World Cup in the shape of number eight Taulupe Faletau.

He could well be joined by centre/wing Tyler Morgan, who is tussling with Corey Allen to be midfield back up to Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts, and wing/full-back Hallam Amos, who is vying with Alex Cuthbert, Gareth Anscombe, Eli Walker and Matthew Morgan in the back three.

But it was the axing of the three Lions that caught the eye with Hibbard a shock victim. Ken Owens, Scott Baldwin and Kristian Dacey are now certain of World Cup spots if they stay fit.

Hook was always likely to miss out despite being given a start at fly-half in woeful 35-21 loss to Ireland at the Millennium Stadium last weekend.

Phillips was under pressure from Lloyd Williams and put in a disappointing display against the Six Nations champions. Rhys Webb will go to England 2015 as first choice with Gareth Davies his deputy.

"It has been a difficult task reducing the squad down and deciding who will meet up with us again on Monday," Wales head coach Warren Gatland said.

"All the players involved over the past eight weeks have put a huge amount of effort in. The intensity and dedication from the players out in Switzerland and Qatar has been really impressive.

"That makes our job a lot harder, but as we continue to move into our rugby-focused phase of training, it's important we reduce the squad number down.

"There will be disappointment from the players, but it's important to stress that the door is not closed.

"We name our final Rugby World Cup squad on August 31, and a lot can happen between now and then.

"As a squad we will now meet up again on Monday to continuing preparing for Ireland away, which is just over a fortnight away."

WALES SQUAD

Forwards (21): Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospresy), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dominic Day (Bath), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues)

Backs (17): Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Ospreys), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

GATLAND'S BIG CALLS

(Presuming 18/13 split)

Tighthead prop – Either Scott Andrews or Aaron Jarvis

Lock – Two to be cut from Dom Day, James King and Bradley Davies

Centre – Cory Allen or Tyler Morgan

Back three – Three to cut from Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, Eli Walker, Matthew Morgan and Gareth Anscombe