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Wales have suffered a huge World Cup blow with the loss of centre Jonathan Davies to a knee ligament injury.

The Lions midfielder suffered the injury playing for Clermont against Montpellier at the weekend and will miss the global tournament this autumn.

It is a major setback for Warren Gatland and his squad, with Davies, who is expected to be out for between six and seven months, having emerged as a true world class operator in the last few seasons.

It means his formidable partnership with Jamie Roberts will be broken up and will lead to a rush by rivals to fill his jersey.

Young guns Tyler Morgan, Cory Allen and Jack Dixon will all be in the frame to take over, as of course will Scarlets’ Scott Williams. The other option is moving George North inside from the wing

(Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

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It is wretched luck for Davies however, who lost in the European Champions Cup final with Clermont just weeks ago to Leigh Halfpenny’s Toulon.

The 27-year-old has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo surgery in the coming days.

Watch: The moment Davies injures his knee as he scores for Clermont (Starts 1min 45sec)

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In a statement, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed their medical people have been in constant dialogue with their counterparts at Clermont.

Gatland said: “It’s a disappointment for Jonathan and for us, but the advice is for him to have the surgery straight away.

“Obviously the injury rules him out of the 2015 Rugby World Cup but our focus is his long term career and we will be working closely with him during his recovery looking towards the 2016 RBS 6 Nations.”

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How the news unfolded