Rugby: Ashley-Cooper expected to miss Wales clash

MONTPELLIER - Wallabies winger Adam Ashley-Cooper is almost certain to be ruled out of Sunday's (NZ time) pivotal World Cup rugby match against Wales.

Ashley-Cooper today rated himself a 50-50 prospect of being fit for the pool B match in Cardiff after hyper-extending his big toe on his right foot in Australia's 91-3 thumping of Japan.

But the powerful 23-year-old's inability to train and the strong form of Drew Mitchell is set to see the Wallabies selectors err on the side of caution when they announce their team tomorrow.

While he is keen to play in Cardiff, Ashley-Cooper realises there's no point rushing his return in the second week of the seven-week tournament.

"It's a massive game and out of all the games this is probably the one I wanted to play, against Wales," he said today.

"But there are bigger fish to fry and if the toe isn't 100 per cent I'm not going to risk that. It's not worth it."

Wales have encountered Australia three times in World Cups and enjoyed one win - 22-21 in the third place play-off in Rotorua in 1987.

- AAP