World Cup blow for Wales

INJURY UPDATE: Wales suffered a cruel blow only a week out from their opening warm-up match for the World Cup.

Taulupe Faletau has been cruelly ruled out of the World Cup in Japan.

The Welsh Rugby Union issued a statement confirming that injury to his clavicle will mean he will play no part in the global showpiece.

Tragically for the player, it was an innocuous injury during training that has cost him his place at the flagship competition.

The British and Irish Lions No.8 first fractured his forearm playing for Bath before Wales’ November international series and he suffered the exact same injury on his return to play in January, with the English Premiership club.

Those injuries have meant it’s now over a year since the 28-year-old last played for his country, but he is optimistic everything is now on the mend with his forearm.

This fresh, unrelated injury is a significant blow for Wales’ World Cup campaign, as well as a blow to Bath where the No.8 plies his trade in the Premiership.

His absence will be keenly felt, although Wales have considerable back row resources – with Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright among those in head coach Warren Gatland’s training squad.

Gatland is due to name his final 31-man World Cup squad in early September, with Wales’s opening game being against Georgia in Toyota City on September 23.

“Any time a player misses out on a major competition is hugely disappointing,” Bath Director of Rugby Stuart Hooper said.

“We are all feeling the impact of this news, especially as it follows a number of unfortunate and frustrating injuries for him.

“We will plan and support Toby’s recovery, making sure it is the very best for him, in order to maximise his successful return to the game.”