No Israel Folau for Ireland's RWC pool rivals as Tonga star misses out through injury

The former Wallabies star failed to recover from a knee injury. 

RULED OUT: Former Australia man Israel Folau will not feature for Tonga. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Israel Folau will miss the Rugby World Cup after he failed to recover in time from injury to make Tonga's squad.

The controversial Wallaby had suffered a knee injury and has been omitted by head coach Toutai Kefu. 

Tonga face Ireland in Nantes on September 16th and make up a tough pool with Scotland, South Africa and Romania. 

The southern hemisphere side have been dealt another blow with key back Telusa Veainu ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring problem.

Folau was capped 73 times by Australia before switching to Tonga. The fullback had his Wallabies contract terminated for his views on same-sex marriage and homosexuality in 2019.

“This is the squad that will be taking us to the 2023 Rugby World Cup,” said Kefu. “It’s a squad I’m very proud to coach and I know all the players are looking forward to representing their families and all Tongans around the globe with pride”.