LIST: 5 injured stars who will likely miss the Autumn Internationals

A galaxy of stars will be absent for the start of the European extravaganza and those set to miss the entire series is looking comprehensive already two months out.

Here, RUCK identifies a number of the key absentees.

The Rugby Paper say Halfpenny is not expected to play again until after the Six Nations, meaning the full-back will be unavailable for Wales' nine matches over the autumn and Six Nations.

Halfpenny suffered a horror knee ligament injury in the opening minutes of his 100th Test against Canada two months ago and is targeting an April return.

He turns 33 this year but still has strong international and club ambitions.

69-times capped lock Launchbury ruptured an ACL playing against Bath for Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership. Wasps boss Lee Blackett expects the skipper to return to Premiership action just before the new year.

The Springbok flanker will be out of action for a lengthy period after undergoing surgery on his injured shoulder, according to head coach Jacques Nienaber. Du Toit was forced off during South Africa’s dominant 27-9 triumph over the British and Irish Lions in the second Test following a tackle by the tourists’ Duhan van der Merwe

Flanker Willis suffered MCL and meniscus damage to his left knee back in February while earning his third international cap against Italy at Twickenham Stadium. The back-rower is expected to return to action for Wasps around Christmas time and could return for the 2022 Six Nations.

“Justin is a massive player to lose against the southern hemisphere sides because in many ways he plays the game like them. He’s a bit like Michael Hooper, a distributor, a leader and he never misses a tackle.”

So said Shane Williams in The Rugby Paper over the weekend.

Suffice to say Wales would have wanted Tipuric around. His region the Ospreys say a shoulder injury picked up on Lions duty is set to keep him out until Christmas.