Leigh Halfpenny will miss the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Wales after a knee injury in their warm‑up match with Italy.

The bad news for the British and Irish Lions international was confirmed by Wales yesterday.

Halfpenny has been a key player for Wales at full‑back with his goalkicking and is a serious loss for head coach Warren Gatland ahead of the World Cup, which starts next Saturday.

Referring to scrum‑half Rhys Webb, who also suffered a major injury against Italy, the Wales Rugby Union says that further medical updates regarding the national squad will be made when available.