England's backs coach Andy Farrell has backed Wales to recover from the blow of losing two key players ahead of the World Cup.

Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb were forced to pull out of the tournament after picking up injuries in Saturday's final warm-up game against Italy, but Farrell claims that Warren Gatland's side will still be strong challengers in Pool A.

"They are not down," he told reporters. "They've got a couple of guys who've come in and are going to try to take their opportunity with both hands.

"Warren will probably use it as a little bit of backs-against-the wall mentality which will strengthen and galvanise them. People would say it weakens them a little bit but we don't see that."

Wales have called up Mike Phillips and Eli Walker as replacements.