Josh Navidi

Wales flanker Josh Navidi is counting himself fortunate that a freak injury has not ended his World Cup dream.

Navidi suffered a dislocated elbow just six days after starring in Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam-sealing victory over Ireland last month.

The Cardiff Blues back rower has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks, but the 28-year-old knows the injury could have had far more serious consequences with a World Cup in Japan approaching fast.

"I spoke to (Blues teammate) Blaine Scully and he said he was out for six months with a similar injury," Navidi said.

"I was quite taken aback that I'd come off quite lucky.

"Luckily I spoke to Blaine after the diagnosis - I'm glad that I hadn't spoken to him before!

"This could have been a lot worse, and I'm thankful that I will be ready for World Cup camp."

Navidi's season came to a premature end inside two minutes of the Blues' Guinness PRO14 derby against the Scarlets on March 22.

He was attempting to clean out a ruck when his arm was struck from behind by Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams.

"It was one of the worst things I've felt on a pitch," Navidi said.

"When I heard that noise I thought 'something's gone on here' and I was rolling around on the floor like an ant with my legs in the air.