Wales cut James Hook, Richard Hibbard and Mike Phillips from World Cup squad

• British Lions among eight players released by Warren Gatland• Nicky Smith, Rory Thornton, Dan Baker, Rhys Patchell and Jack Dixon also outWarren Gatland has reacted to Wales’s defeat against Ireland on Saturday by dropping three Lions from his World Cup squad – Mike Phillips, James Hook and Richard Hibbard.Wales were beaten 35-21 by Ireland in Cardiff, rallying in the final 25 minutes when Phillips, Hook and Hibbard, who have 210 Wales caps between them, had all been taken off. It is probably no coincidence that all three earn their livings outside Wales at a time when there is pressure to r…