Christ Tshiunza has been ruled out of Wales' Six Nations campaign with a hamstring injury.
Having only just recovered from testing positive for Covid-19 last week, the young Exeter Chiefs forward has now been ruled out of the tournament after suffering the injury on Tuesday.
Tshiunza, who won his first two caps against Fiji and Australia in the autumn, would have been expected to kick on in his second Wales squad call-up with Wales coach Wayne Pivac having previously spoken effusively about the qualities he can bring to Wales' back-row.
"Christ has injured a hamstring in training on Tuesday," revealed Pivac after naming his team to face Ireland.
"Unfortunately, he's had to go back and return to Exeter. He'll return there and do his recovery with Exeter. That'll be him gone for the remainder of the tournament."
No replacement has been named as of yet, with the Wales coaching ticket set to make a decision after the weekend's match in Dublin.
"He brought a lot of energy, very quick around the park, very good lineout forward and only 19 years of age which is the scary part," added Pivac.
"He's very disappointed. The boys are disappointed as he's a nice guy in the group. Everyone gets on with him well and it's not nice to see him leave early in a campaign.
"But injuries in rugby can happen. We feel for him but you've got to look at the positives. As I said to him, at 19 you were selected for your second campaign on the bounce. Not too many people have achieved that.
"He'll go away and work hard to get himself back on the park as soon as he can."
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