Ryan Jones will be a huge loss for Wales

The 26-year-old Ospreys star injured his left shoulder towards the end of last season and has been told to rest to avoid risking lasting damage.

Jones missed most of the 2005/6 season after surgery on the same shoulder.

"Although the shoulder is stable I received some new damage to the joint throughout this season which needs time to settle," said Jones.

Interview: Ryan Jones

"I need to take a long-term view and make sure its right before I play and that means missing out on the World Cup.

606: DEBATE OK then so Jones is out, big loss but this is Charvis' big chance DTH

"It's obviously bitterly disappointing, but at the age of 26 it would be completely the wrong decision to try to rush myself back to fitness with a high risk that something could go wrong.

"I'm missing the World Cup, which is extremely difficult to take, but it means I will be able to get back to full fitness and turn out and captain the Ospreys next season and ensure I'm still around when it's time for the next one.

"The focus now is on the players that are going to go and represent our country and I'm behind them 100% and wish each and everyone of them the very best.

"For now I'm just going to try to put this disappointment behind me and focus on my recovery.

"We've got a great squad and I can't express how gutted I am to miss out, but I know the boys will do us proud out there, and there are hopefully a good few more years left in me yet."

Jones says he hopes to be back in action in time for November's Heineken Cup campaign.

Wales have other strong options at number eight, including Alix Popham, Michael Owen, Jonathan Thomas and Colin Charvis.

But the loss of the Ospreys captain, who has 16 caps for Wales and three for the Lions, denies coach Gareth Jenkins a powerful ball-carrying forward.