Faletau ruled out of Wales’ World Cup squad through injury

Taulupe Faletau will miss the Rugby World Cup after suffering a clavicle injury in training, Wales have confirmed.

The Bath flanker had been set to be a key player for his country in the showpiece tournament in Japan, which begins on September 20.

Faletau, selected for the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, had an injury-hit season in 2018-19, missing both the autumn internationals and the Six Nations with a broken arm.

And now the 28-year-old will sit out the World Cup with an injury which will require surgery, with Wales and Bath yet to put a timeframe on his return.

SQUAD UPDATE: Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup contention due to a clavicle injury. Dymuniadau gorau i Taulupe oddi wrth y garfan i gyd.

– https://t.co/E7ms6WBM5n pic.twitter.com/9nRSKNXE08

— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) August 1, 2019

Stuart Hooper, Bath’s director of rugby, told the club’s official website: “Any time a player misses out on a major competition is hugely disappointing.

“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 his recovery, making sure it is the very best for him, in order to maximise his successful return to the game.”

Wales face England in a three-match series before taking on Ireland in their final World Cup warm-up match on September 7.

The Six Nations champions open their campaign against Georgia in Tokyo on September 23, with Australia, Fiji and Uruguay also in their pool.

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