Wallabies add lock reinforcements ahead of England test

The Wallabies were forced into late squad adjustments after suffering two second row injuries in their win over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday, prompting the team to add cover ahead of Saturday's Test against England at Twickenham. Lock Lukhan SalakaiaLoto left the field early with a rib complaint and reserve lock Josh Canham was later withdrawn with concussion, leaving the Australians short in the engine room in the opening stages of the match.

Head coach Joe Schmidt said the double blow left Australia light at lock and that he would need to bring in reinforcements. "With England's strong pack, it just means that we are light in the second row, and we may need to get some reserves dug out from Australia," Schmidt said after the match, adding that Canham would not be available for the Twickenham game and that the full assessment on SalakaiaLoto was still pending. During the Japan Test, captain and blindside flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny shifted into the second row to cover the shortfall.

Western Force lock Darcy Swain was initially called into the touring group as cover, marking a potential return to Test contention after his 2022 appearance. Swain recently produced strong form...