Michael Hooper set to be axed from Australia's World Cup squad

Australia are reportedly set to miss the services of Michael Hooper for the upcoming Rugby World Cup campaign in France.

Hooper, who has played 125 Tests for the Wallabies and captained them in 60 games previously featured for them in the game against the Springboks last month but has been sidelined with a calf injury that he picked in a training session.

He was initially set to miss the Bledisloe Cup opener in Melbourne but his failure to make recovering before the game in Dunedin is likely to cost him his place in the squad to France.

According to the report, Eddie Jones is likely to draft in Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper in the place of Hooper.

“Michael and James are both world-class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby,” Jones said.

“They have worked hard with the leadership group since January and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.

“Getting selected in the squad is just the start. We’ve got to build the team now and that will require hard work and getting a little bit more out of everyone involved.”