Wales have suffered a sizable pre-World Cup blow with the news that Gareth Anscombe will miss the tournament through injury.
The versatile New Zealand-born fly-half, 28, hurt his knee during the first half of Sunday's 33-19 warm-up defeat to England at Twickenham and has subsequently been diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Such an issue will rule first-choice 10 and Six Nations Grand Slam-winner Anscombe out of the World Cup, which begins in Japan on September 20.
"Gareth Anscombe is out of Rugby World Cup contention after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the match against England yesterday," the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said in a statement on Monday.
"His prognosis and management with be determined following further specialist reviews.
"The Wales squad and management would like to wish Gareth the very best with his recovery."
The loss of the Ospreys star is another cruel fitness blow for Wales, who will also be without Taulupe Faletau at the World Cup after the Bath No8 sustained a broken collarbone in training earlier this month.
