Mortlock goes home with injury

Australia centre Stirling Mortlock is on a flight back to Australia after suffering a depressed cheek-bone in Saturday’s 31-17 win over Scotland at Hampden Park.

Mortlock was given the all-clear to fly home by a specialist and left for Sydney last night. He will undergo surgery on his return to Sydney later this week.

Stephen Larkham, the Wallabies vice captain and fly-half who suffered a broken arm in the first half on Saturday, will remain with the squad in London as they prepare for this weekend’s Test against England.

Australia are struggling under the weight of injuries with winger Clyde Rathbone, who could also cover Mortlock at outside centre, rated as just a 10% chance of making the game at Twickenham.

Both he and lock Justin Harrison are nursing groin problems.