Wales back-rower Josh Navidi has been ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup in Japan through injury.
Head coach Warren Gatland confirmed that Navidi suffered a hamstring injury during yesterday’s 20-19 victory over France in the quarter-finals of the tournament after the player left the pitch in the 26th minute.
The extent of the injury remains to be seen as Navidi will have to undergo further scans in order to discover just how much of the season he will miss but he will play no further part in this year’s global competition. Wales have also confirmed that they will announce his replacement in the squad soon.
Navidi, who usually plays as a flanker has been slotting into the No 8 position throughout the tournament due to his impressive form over the past couple of seasons and due to the absence of regular No 8 Taulupe Faletau, who has missed the entire campaign through injury.
However, it is most likely that Ross Moriarty will now step into the starting line-up for the next two matches in what is his natural position and his own confidence will be soaring following his match-winning try in yesterday’s game.
That would mean that Wales’ back-row would see Aaron Wainwright and Justin Tipuric either side of Moriarty.
It is a cruel blow for Navidi however who has been undroppable due to his flying form.
Wales will now look ahead to their semi-final showdown with South Africa this Sunday before playing either a third-place play-off or a final the following week, with the men in red hoping for the latter.
