Injury rules Australia duo out of Scotland clash

Australia stars David Pocock and Israel Folau have both lost their fitness battles ahead of Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Scotland at Twickenham.

Pocock has been ruled out with a calf problem suffered in the 15-6 victory over Wales last weekend and is replaced by Western Force’s Ben McCalman at number eight.

Folau tweaked his ankle in the same Pool A game and, being unable to train this week, has seen Kurtley Beale step in at full-back with Quade Cooper also promoted to the bench.

Michael Hooper returns from suspension to start at openside while lock Rob Simmons is moved back into the starting XV, displacing Dean Mumm to the replacements bench.

Captain Stephen Moore and centre Matt Giteau are also set to become the seventh and eighth Wallabies to make 100 international appearances when they line up against the Scots.

"Those lads don't need to have played 100 games for Australia to have the respect from me and the other players in the team," head Coach Michael Cheika said.

"It's what they do in training every day, how hard they work and what they're prepared to sacrifice that sets them apart."

Despite Australia thumping England by a record score at Twickenham and then a week later edged Wales at the same venue to finish atop this year’s ‘Pool of Death’, but Cheika insists Scotland will be the Wallabies' most dangerous foes yet.

"This will be the most difficult game we play and that's not disrespecting our other opponents at all because every match has been tough, but this will be the toughest," Cheika said.

"There's going to be a lot of pain, it's going to be physical and I want the players to enjoy that as well because that's when it's worth it.

"Guarding against complacency is pretty easy because we don't think we are complacent.

"We're acutely aware that this is really important for our own journey as a team.

"I've seen a lot of the Scottish players saying they can win - and they can, they can.

"It's the reality of sport and what we need to make sure is that our mindset is really clear on what we're prepared to do to get that victory."

Australia: K Beale; A Ashley-Cooper, T Kuridrani, M Giteau, D Mitchell; B Foley, W Genia; S Sio, S Moore (captain), S Kepu, K Douglas, R Simmons, S Fardy, M Hooper, B McCalman

Replacements; T Polota-Nau, J Slipper, G Holmes, D Mumm, S McMahon, N Phipps, M Toomua, Q Cooper.