Australia's hopes of bringing in Will Skelton for the remaining two tests in their end-of-season tour have been dashed after the totemic lock suffered an ankle injury playing club rugby in France.

Skelton's heft and physicality have added greatly to Australia's forward power when he has been available this season, but the team said he had been ruled out of the matches against Ireland and France over the next two weekends.

Flyhalf James O'Connor has travelled to Ireland after being released by English club Leicester but the team said he would be helping the squad prepare for the match, suggesting he would not be playing.

Many of Australia's best backline moves this year have come with the 35-year-old on the pitch and there have been loud calls for him to play against Ireland after disapp

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