Oz lose Toomua to injury

Edinburgh - Wallabies centre Matt Toomua will miss the remaining two matches of Australia's European tour because of a hamstring injury, coach Ewen McKenzie said on Wednesday

He will be replaced in the squad later this week by Waratahs winger Peter Betham, who won his first cap in the third Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in October.

Medical tests showed that Toomua had suffered a hamstring strain following training, and that was enough to rule him out of the two remaining tour games - against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday and Wales at the Millennium Stadium the following week.

McKenzie said it was a disappointing blow for the talented 23-year-old playmaker, who had been outstanding in his debut Test season, earning 10 caps and securing his role at centre in the starting lineup for the opening three games of the tour.

"Matt has had a fantastic season and has done a terrific job for the Qantas Wallabies in a new position," McKenzie said.

"It's extremely disappointing to lose him at this point and not have him available for our final two games.

"However, he's shown all the positive attributes we want in our players and are looking forward to seeing him use his international experience to continue his development during the Super Rugby competition next year."

The loss comes a day after fellow centre Tevita Kuridrani received a five-week suspension for an alleged dangerous tackle in the match with Ireland.

Adding to Australian woes is the fact that five other players will be unavailable for selection in Edinburgh as they are serving a one-match suspension for indulging in a drinking session before the Ireland game.