Veteran Wales hooker Ken Owens is out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup after failing to recover from a back injury.
The Scarlets front rower captained Wales in this year’s Six Nations, but will not go to France this autumn.
Owens, capped 91 times, has not retired from Test rugby, though at 36 years old, his Wales future looks doubtful.
Scarlets back-row Josh Macleod and Cardiff prop Will Davies-King have also been released from Warren Gatland’s training squad due to injury.
Ospreys hooker Sam Parry, 31, has been added to the squad in place of Owens.
Gatland said it was “disappointing” to lose the three players, but said they all could be available later in the year for a potential call-up, should Wales suffer injuries.
“We gave Ken as much time as possible but his back has not recovered,” he said.
“He might need an operation so he’s not going to be available for the World Cup squad.
“He’s been a great servant to Welsh rugby, but he wanted to reiterate he has not retired from rugby and he’s hoping if he recovers from that and gets himself right on the pitch, potentially he may be available if we pick up injuries during the World Cup.”
However, Owens’ misfortune may now spell the end of his 13-year international career, which began as an injury call-up during the 2011 World Cup under Gatland.
A British and Irish Lion in 2017 and 2021, Owens has been first choice for Wales for the past seven years.
In recent weeks he has seen long-time Wales team-mates Justin Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones and Rhys Webb announce their international retirements.
Wales have also seen Cory Hill withdraw as a result of a club offer in Japan, while Rhys Carre was released after failing to hit performance targets.
“Ken is gutted, but he’s an incredibly positive person,” said Gatland.(BBC sport)