LONDON (REUTERS) - Wales suffered a second major setback ahead of the Rugby World Cup when scrum-half Rhys Webb was ruled out of the tournament on Tuesday with a serious foot injury.

Webb's absence follows hot on the heels of full-back and key goal-kicker Leigh Halfpenny who will also miss the Sept 18-Oct 31 showpiece with a knee injury.

Both were hurt in the weekend win over Italy, Wales' final World Cup warm-up before they start their campaign against Uruguay on Sept 20.

Semi-finalists in 2011, Wales are drawn in the toughest of the four groups alongside England and Australia and must now do battle without three first-choice backs after centre Jonathan Davies suffered a serious knee injury in March.