Taulupe Faletau ruled out of the Rugby World Cup

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

The WRU have issued a statement that confirmed that an injury to his clavicle will mean he will play no part in the competition.

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

The statement reads:

"Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup contention due to a clavicle injury.

"The injury was sustained in an innocuous training ground incident and will require surgery.

"A prognosis and return to play timeframe will be established after surgery. The Wales squad and management would like to wish Taulupe the very best with his recovery."

The British and Irish Lions No8 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 Faletau 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' Rugby World Cup campaign, as well as a blow to Bath where the No.8 plies his trade in the Premiership.

Bath Director of Rugby, Stuart Hooper stated: "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 Toby’s recovery, making sure it is the very best for him, in order to maximise his successful return to the game."

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