Two big name UK stars will be absent when the Wallabies travel north for their Spring Tour next month.
England centre Ben Teo has been ruled out for ‘at least a month’ with an ankle injury he suffered playing for Worcester in their European Challenge Cup win against Brive.
Warriors coach Carl Hogg revealed on Tuesday that Te'o had sustained a high ankle sprain in that clash.
"Ben's unfortunately got a syndesmosis injury of his ankle. He's being assessed currently and will head back down to Cardiff on Monday to see whether he'll go down a surgical route or whether it'll be managed conservatively," Hogg said.
"He's expected to be out for at least a month, but we'll find out more next week once the swelling has settled down and it'll give us a better idea of time-frames."
The news is just as bad for Wales star winger George North, ruled out for 6-8 weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury in the humiliating 57-13 thrashing by two-time European champions Saracens in their opening Champions Cup clash last Sunday.
"George North suffered a sprain to his posterior cruciate ligament against Saracens which will require 6-8 weeks rehabilitation," a statement issued by Northampton said.
North, capped 69 times, has become increasingly prone to injuries with the latest coming after he insisted on playing on after receiving treatment following a crashing tackle by Brad Barritt before collapsing to the ground in a subsequent attack.
Wales coach Warren Gatland is due to name his squad for the four Tests on October 24.
His side face the Wallabies on November 11th, Georgia a week later, world champions the All Blacks on November 25, and round off their packed programme against South Africa on December 2.
