World Cup of injuries: 24 players down

Welsh halfback Leigh Halfpenny damaged knee ligaments during Wales' final warm-up game against Italy. Photo / AP.

The Rugby World Cup has not yet reached the midway point of the pool stage but squads are already being stretched by injuries.

While Wales are leading the way with a whole host of issues, they are by no means the only nation having to dig deep into their resources.

Here, we take a look at the players who have seen their World Cup dreams crushed by untimely injuries.

WALES

Leigh Halfpenny: The full-back and prolific points-scorer damaged knee ligaments during Wales' final warm-up game against Italy.

Eli Walker: Called into Wales' squad as a replacement for Halfpenny, but then suffered a hamstring injury and was released seven days later.

Rhys Webb: Wales' in-form scrum-half suffered a serious foot injury in the first half against Italy. Battling to play again this season.

Cory Allen: Wales centre scored three tries against opening opponents Uruguay, then suffered a serious hamstring injury.

Scott Williams: Carried off after suffering a serious knee injury during Wales' Pool A victory over England at Twickenham.

Hallam Amos: Damaged shoulder during the England game as Wales' injury woes continued at an alarming rate.

ITALY

Andrea Masi: The Wasps back damaged his Achilles during the opening pool game against France.

Luca Morisi: Suffered a knee injury and went off early during Italy's warm-up clash against Wales, ending his participation in the competition.

Angelo Esposito:

Damaged his shoulder before the tournament started and was ruled out of World Cup contention.

Jean de Villiers the captain of South Africa lies on the ground injured during the International match between Wales and South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

CANADA

Connor Braid: The versatile back suffered a broken jaw during Canada's Pool D encounter against Italy in Leeds, ruling him out of the tournament.

Jason Marshall: Marshall was an early injury casualty for Canada, with his place being taken by Jake Ilnicki.

Liam Underwood: Underwood was hurt during Canada's opening game against Ireland in Cardiff and replaced by James Pritchard.

AUSTRALIA

Will Skelton: Suffered a pectoral muscle injury during Australia's 65-3 victory over Uruguay at Villa Park, ending his tournament.

Wycliff Palu: Damaged a hamstring in the same game as Skelton was hurt, which brought a full stop to his World Cup ambitions.

FIJI

Isei Colati: The powerful prop suffered a knee injury during training in Swansea and he was ruled out of the tournament.

Waisea Nayacalevu: Wing Nayacalevu suffered a World Cup knockout blow when he damaged his knee during the Pool A game against Australia.

ENGLAND

Billy Vunipola: The number eight suffered a knee ligament strain in the defeat against Wales and a scan revealed he will be sidelined for six weeks.

FRANCE

Yoann Huget: One of France's most potent attackers suffered a knee injury in the game against Italy, ending his interest in the tournament.

SCOTLAND

Stuart McInally: The Edinburgh hooker featured for the Scots against Italy in Turin last month but a neck injury cost him his place in Vern Cotter's travelling party to England.

Grant Gilchrist: The Scotland lock suffered a groin injury in Sunday's 39-16 win over the United States and will not be back in time to play a further part in the tournament.

SOUTH AFRICA

Jean de Villiers: The Springboks skipper, who has endured a terrible time with injuries in recent months, suffered a tournament-ending broken jaw in the pool game against Samoa, and then retired from Test rugby.

SAMOA

Logovi'I Mulipola: The Leicester prop was named in Samoa's World Cup squad, but he was then ruled out through injury and ex-Saracens forward Census Johnston replaced him.

UNITED STATES

Scott LaValla: LaValla suffered an injury during pre-tournament training and was replaced by Matt Trouville.

ARGENTINA

Matias Diaz: Diaz sustained a World Cup-ending injury just hours after the Pumas' squad was announced. His misfortune meant a call-up for fellow prop Juan Pablo Orlandi.

-DAILY MAIL