RORY Thornton, who is set to be a member of Wales' World Cup training party, has been ruled out of the rest of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Ospreys lock, who captained the Welsh youngsters in all three group games against France, England and Japan, will return home for an assessment of a knee injury and will be replaced by regional teammate Matthew Dodd.

Thornton, 20, was named by Warren Gatland in his 47-man World Cup training squad and was scheduled to link up with the seniors after the tournament to gain some experience working alongside Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Jake Ball, Bradley Davies and Dom Day.

Wales Under-20s, who are already without Thornton’s Six Nations second-row partner Joe Davies through injury, face Ireland on Monday (kick-off 7.30pm) before ending the competition against either Australia or Scotland on Saturday, June 20.