Rugby World Cup
Wales star Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of World Cup
ESPN Staff
September 7, 2015
Halfpenny and Webb were both stretchered off during Wales' win over Italy © Getty Images
Enlarge

Wales have been dealt a hammer blow with fullback Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after suffering torn right knee ligaments in a warm-up match against Italy. The Toulon star, one of the outstanding goal-kickers of his generation, sustained the injury in Wales' hard-fought 23-19 win over the Azzurri at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Halfpenny, 26, underwent a scan on Monday, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal said. He said his star fullback would be out for about six months.

The Welsh Rugby Union added: "Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has suffered an ACL injury, ruling him out of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup. Leigh will undergo further examination and assessment before further details are announced."

Wales must hit the ground running - Roberts
%]

Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on September 20, going on to play hosts England, Fiji and two-time champions Australia in the toughest of the four pools. The line-up means at least one of rugby union's major nations won't qualify for the quarter-finals as only the top two teams go through to the last eight.

Aside from Halfpenny, Wales could face more bad news, with in-form scrum-half Rhys Webb also injured against the Italians. Webb suffered suspected serious ligament damage to his ankle in the first half after falling awkwardly at a ruck. It would be a further cruel blow for Wales coach Warren Gatland, who already lost key centre Jonathan Davies at the start of the summer.

Halfpenny's understudy Liam Williams is only himself coming back from a broken bone in his foot. Gatland will now look to call up a replacement for Halfpenny, likely to come down between New Zealand-born utility back Gareth Anscombe, who is also currently out for up to three weeks with an ankle ligament injury, and James Hook. Both are proven kickers.

Mike Phillips is the natural choice to replace Webb, particularly given the lack of experience between remaining scrum-halves Gareth Davies and Lloyd Williams.

ESPN is proud to announce an exclusive 1-hour special - Cheika's Wallabies: Hope of a Nation - premiering on ESPN Weds Sept 9 at 9pm AEST (11pm NZ). ESPNscrum's leading rugby expert Greg Growden goes one-on-one with the Wallabies coach in this exclusive special that gives a rare insight into the intriguing personality of Australia's head coach.

Play ESPNfootytips Rugby World Cup Tipping

© ESPN Staff

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.