DRAGONS lock Brandon Nansen looks set for World Cup heartbreak after being left out of Samoa's squad for the Pacific Nations Cup.
The 25-year-old missed the second half of the season after suffering a hamstring injury against the Scarlets in Llanelli in January.
The hard-hitting lock, who was just starting to show top form after his move from Stade Francais last summer, rehabbed to ensure he was available for Samoa's clashes against Tonga, the USA and Fiji.
However, Nansen has not been selected with head coach Steve Jackson opting for the Hurricanes' Kane Leaupepe, Bristol's Chris Vui, the Waratahs' Senio Toleafoa and London Irish's Filo Paulo as his second row options.
Cardiff Blues' Rey Lee-Lo and the Scarlets Kieron Fonotia, both centres, have been called up.
Samoa name their 31-man squad for a September Test against Australia and the World Cup, where they will battle Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Russia in Pool A, after the Pacific Nations Cup.
It looks like the Dragons man, who won the last of his three caps against Germany in a World Cup qualifier last July, will need others to suffer injury misfortune to get the call.
While it is a blow for Nansen, it is a boost for the Rodney Parade region who will be without captain Cory Hill for the start of the Guinness PRO14 because of Japan 2019.
New boss Dean Ryan is now likely to have Nansen available to battle with Matthew Screech, Joe Davies and lock/back row forwards Lewis Evans, Huw Taylor and Max Williams.
#PNC2019 | Manu Samoa squad for the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) 2019.
— Go the Manu (@gothemanu2011) June 22, 2019
27 July: Samoa vs Tonga (Apia)
3 Aug: Samoa vs USA (Suva)
10 Aug: Samoa vs Fiji (Suva)
The final squad for the test against Australia in September & #RWC2019 will be announced after PNC #GoTheManu pic.twitter.com/0WYe6NqZdq
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