The pitch at the Cardiff venue cut up badly during Wales’ 19-12 defeat at New Zealand last weekend and independent consultants were brought in to examine the turf.

They found it had been contaminated by a Bibionidae fly infestation, which causes damage to root growth and surface grass coverage.

Stadium manager Gerry Toms said: “We have decided to avoid any risk of the infestation causing further erosion by deciding to replace the surface now.

“Obviously our concern was how much damage might take place between now and the Australia match at the end of November.

The pitch for the game against Samoa was not to the standard we require which, combined with the unknown factor of the potential erosion over the next two weeks has prompted us to act now.”