Just three weeks from Wales' crucial World Cup group stage game against England, Warren Gatland's side suffered a debilitating double injury blow in a warm-up match against Italy at the Millennium Stadium.
With just over ten minutes remaining in the game, fullback and goalkicker Leigh Halfpenny was stretchered from the pitch after sustaining an injury to his right knee.
That followed the first half departure of scrum-half Rhys Webb who injured his ankle after it was trapped in a ruck. Like Halfpenny, Webb was also stretchered from the field of play after receiving some lengthy medical attention on the pitch.
Exactly how serious the injuries are has not yet been announced by the WRU though going by Warren Gatland's lack of optimism in the post-match press conference, it seems unlikely that the duo will feature at the World Cup.
Gatland's pessimism is mirrored by the Welsh media.
This has to be one of the most desperate days I've had covering Welsh rugby in 20-plus years. So, so gutted for Webb and Halfpenny.
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) September 5, 2015
I will be praying for a miracle, but in my heart of hearts I fear and know the worst. It's just a nightmare. Sport is so bloody cruel.
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) September 6, 2015
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
