The pain game: RWC’s injury list

takes a look at the players who have seen their World Cup dreams crushed by untimely injuries.

WALES

Leigh Halfpenny:

The full-back and prolific points-scorer damaged knee ligaments during Wales’ final warm-up game against Italy.

Eli Walker:

Called into Wales’ squad as a replacement for Halfpenny, but then suffered a hamstring injury and was released seven days later.

Rhys Webb:

Wales’ in-form scrum-half suffered a serious foot injury in the first half against Italy. Battling to play again this season.

Cory Allen:

Wales centre scored three tries against opening opponents Uruguay, then suffered a serious hamstring injury.

Scott Williams:

Carried off after suffering a serious knee injury during Wales’ Pool A victory over England at Twickenham.

Hallam Amos:

Damaged shoulder during the England game

ITALY

Andrea Masi:

The Wasps back damaged his Achilles during the opening pool game against France.

Luca Morisi:

Suffered a knee injury and went off early during Italy’s warm-up clash against Wales, ending his participation in the competition.

Angelo Esposito:

Damaged his shoulder before the tournament started and was ruled out of World Cup contention.

CANADA

Connor Braid:

The versatile back suffered a broken jaw during Canada’s Pool D encounter against Italy in Leeds, ruling him out of the tournament.

Jason Marshall:

Marshall was an early injury casualty for Canada, with his place being taken by Jake Ilnicki.

Liam Underwood:

Underwood was hurt during Canada’s opening game against Ireland in Cardiff and replaced by James Pritchard.

AUSTRALIA

Will Skelton:

Suffered a pectoral muscle injury during Australia’s 65-3 victory over Uruguay at Villa Park, ending his tournament.

Wycliff Palu:

Damaged a hamstring in the same game as Skelton was hurt, which brought a full stop to his World Cup ambitions.

FIJI

Isei Colati:

The powerful prop suffered a knee injury during training in Swansea and he was ruled out of the tournament.

Waisea Nayacalevu:

Wing Nayacalevu suffered a World Cup knockout blow when he damaged his knee during the Pool A game against Australia.

ENGLAND

Billy Vunipola:

The number eight suffered a knee ligament strain in the defeat against Wales and a scan revealed he will be sidelined for six weeks.

FRANCE

Yoann Huget:

One of France’s most potent attackers suffered a knee injury in the game against Italy, ending his interest in the tournament.

SCOTLAND

Stuart McInally:

The Edinburgh hooker featured for the Scots against Italy in Turin last month but a neck injury cost him his place in Vern Cotter’s travelling party to England.

Grant Gilchrist:

The Scotland lock suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s 39-16 win over the United States and will not be back in time to play a further part in the tournament.

SOUTH AFRICA

Jean de Villiers:

The Springboks skipper, who has endured a terrible time with injuries in recent months, suffered a tournament-ending broken jaw in the pool game against Samoa, and then retired from Test rugby.

SAMOA

Logovi’I Mulipola:

The Leicester prop was named in Samoa’s World Cup squad, but he was then ruled out through injury and ex-Saracens forward Census Johnston replaced him.

UNITED STATES

Scott LaValla:

LaValla suffered an injury during pre-tournament training and was replaced by Matt Trouville.

ARGENTINA

Matias Diaz:

Diaz sustained a World Cup-ending injury just hours after the Pumas’ squad was announced. His misfortune meant a call-up for fellow prop Juan Pablo Orlandi.