Wales flyhalf Gareth Anscombe will miss the Rugby World Cup after he sustained a serious knee injury in his team's 33-19 loss to England Sunday.

"Gareth Anscombe is out of Rugby World Cup contention after sustaining an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury in the match against England yesterday," read the WRU statement on their website.

US-based subscribers can watch Wales prepare for the World Cup live on FloRugby in the Summer Test Series:

August 11

England vs Wales (On-Demand)

August 17

Wales vs England

August 31

Wales vs Ireland

September 7

Ireland vs Wales

The 28-year-old New Zealand-born playmaker's absence is a blow to the team's World Cup hopes. He was pivotal as Wales won last season's Six Nations Grand Slam. 

"The Wales squad and management would like to wish Gareth the very best with his recovery," said the WRU statement.

Dan Biggar is the likely replacement for Anscombe in the starting lineup. The 29-year-old has more than 70 caps and came on to great effect in the Six Nations clash with England last season.

Anscombe is the second high-profile Wales casualty. Back-row forward Taulupe Faletau was ruled out earlier this month because of a collarbone injury.

There are 40 players remaining in head coach Warren Gatland's World Cup squad, which will be reduced to the final 31-strong party at the beginning of September.

Wales face England again in Cardiff on Saturday, followed by a double-header against Ireland in Cardiff on August 31 and Dublin on September 7.

Gatland -- who brings the curtain down on his 12-year Welsh reign after the World Cup -- and his side begin their World Cup campaign in Japan against Pool D opponents Georgia on September 23.

They play 2015 finalists Australia six days later, Fiji on October 9 and  Uruguay four days after that.

© Agence France-Presse