Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup contention in Japan next month.
The Welsh Rugby Union said that Bath forward Faletau, who has won 72 caps, suffered a clavicle (collarbone) injury.
The WRU added that he will require surgery following what they described as “an innocuous training ground incident.”
In a statement, the WRU said: "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 time-frame will be established after surgery.
“The Wales squad and management would like to wish Taulupe the very best with his recovery.”
It is the latest cruel injury setback for 28-year-old British and Irish Lions Test player Faletau.
He broke his arm twice last season and has not played for Wales since March 2018.
But he has trained with Wales this summer and was recently part of an intensive two-week camp in the Swiss Alps as he built towards potential World Cup selection.
Faletau’s absence will be keenly felt, although Wales have considerable back-row resources with the likes of Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright among those in head coach Warren Gatland’s training squad.
