WALES boss Warren Gatland says that Dragons lock Cory Hill is on target for the World Cup clash with Australia.

Hill was selected in the 31-man squad for Japan despite not having played any rugby since the Six Nations win against England and not being available for the tournament opener against Georgia because of a stress fracture in his leg.

Gatland said it was "worth a risk" as long as Hill would be in contention to face the Wallabies and the Dragons skipper is making good progress.

The head coach said: "They (medics) are confident that he will be available for selection against Australia.

"He's been out of his boot and on the training field today, even though he wasn't doing any running.

"Hopefully, after that Georgia game he will be be back training and available for selection."

Gatland says that lock Adam Beard is "probably not going to be available" for opener against Georgia.

The Ospreys forward had his appendix removed in Wales and did not travel to Japan with the World Cup squad four days ago.

"He is hoping to come out (to Japan) on Thursday and probably not going to be available for selection for the Georgia game," Gatland said at Wales' base in Kitakyushu.

"But we are hopeful - and the medics are confident - that he will be available for selection for the Australia game (on September 29)."

It suggests that Jake Ball will be skipper Alun Wyn Jones' second-row partner in that game, with flanker Aaron Shingler providing lock bench cover.

Fly-half Rhys Patchell has done some non-contact work after suffering concussion during Wales' final World Cup warm-up game against Ireland eight days ago.

Gatland added: "He has gone through the HIA (head injury assessment) protocols.

"He was training this morning, just doing some non-contact stuff at this stage.

"We will ease him back into contact work later in the week, making sure that we go through the protocols and ensure he's 100 per cent and available for selection."