AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN dealt a double injury blow, with flanker David Pocock and lock Kane Douglas ruled out of Saturday’s clash with England.
Pocock, who was set to make his comeback from a knee injury at Twickenham, has been sidelined with a calf strain, while Douglas will miss with a knee problem.
“The pair had scans yesterday afternoon, with the results last night confirming that both would have to bypass the game,” the Wallabies said in a statement.
Pocock has been sidelined since injuring his medial ligament in the opening match of the Rugby Championship against New Zealand in August.
Team medical staff will make a further assessment on the duo once the squad arrive in Florence for the third match of their European tour against Italy.
Douglas’ withdrawal comes just days after his mother Trish was hospitalised after suffering a stroke en route to London.
Trish remains in hospital, though the Wallabies confirmed that her condition has improved.
Australia were beaten 33-6 by France in Paris in the opening match of their European tour.
