Owen Lane has been released from Wales' Six Nations squad after suffering what has been described as a 'significant' hamstring injury in training.
The Cardiff Blues speedster will undergo further assessment next week to determine the severity of the injury, but the initial description is bleak and suggests he is likely to be ruled out of the entire campaign.
At this time, Wayne Pivac has opted against calling up a replacement. Wales are well-stocked in the back three, with George North, Josh Adams, Johnny McNicholl, Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonah Holmes and Leigh Halfpenny all ready to face Italy next weekend.
"Gutted is an understatement," said Lane.
"Best of luck to the rest of the boys. A very special group who can achieve something great this year."
It's an injury that will leave Lane watching from the sidelines once again.
Lane has a history of suffering injuries at exactly the wrong time. He was due to be called up for the 2018 summer tour to Argentina, but broke his hand in the European Challenge Cup final, ruling him out of the trip.
Then, in the autumn of 2018, he suffered a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the November Tests and kept him sidelined for 12 weeks.
