Australia have suffered a late injury blow ahead of Saturday night's rugby Test against France with veteran lock Nathan Sharpe ruled out with a groin strain.

Waratahs second-rower Dean Mumm has been promoted for a maiden Test start in a decidedly inexperienced Wallabies outfit that features seven starters with less than 10 international caps.

Sharpe sustained the injury when he stumbled during training at Ballymore on Thursday morning and coach Robbie Deans had little choice but to scratch him from the Suncorp Stadium clash.

"It's unfortunate but the injury is restricting Nathan, so the choice was made for us," said Deans.

"We gave it as much time as we could, to allow it to settle but, with the game just two days away, we had to make the call and move on."

Australia A forward Hugh McMeniman made a rushed flight from Sydney to Brisbane to sit on the bench after originally preparing to play against New Zealand Maori on Sunday.

The loss of stalwart Sharpe saps the Wallabies pack of 66 Tests worth of experience and forces a major disruption to the lineout.

James Horwill is now set to call the lineout in a big ask of the abrasive lock in just his fourth Test.

"The loss of Nathan obviously tests our depth, in terms of the Test experience our two locks have, but we've got total confidence in the guys who are there," Deans said.

"They've done the work on the training paddock and competed well in their Test careers so far. There's a great opportunity ahead for both of them."

Hooker Stephen Moore, who plays with Horwill for the Reds, also confidently backed the 23-year-old and Mumm, whose two Tests have come off the bench, to ensure the lineout continues to be an area of strength.

"It won't be an issue there, they both know the options inside out so I think in attack and defence whoever calls the shots will do well," Moore said.

Sharpe's injury comes at an untimely moment for the Western Force skipper with long-time second-row partner Dan Vickerman due to return from ankle surgery late this month.

Horwill has applied pressure to Sharpe's position in the Wallabies pack with Vickerman expected to return for their second Tri-Nations fixture against New Zealand on July 26 in Sydney.

Australia must now overcome the French resistance with one of their most inexperienced teams in the professional era.

Sharpe joins Vickerman, Matt Dunning (infection), Lote Tuqiri (knee), Chris Latham (shoulder) and Wycliff Palu (shoulder) in the casualty ward, while veteran halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham have retired from international rugby.

Nine of the starting team have played less than 20 internationals and only six started in the Wallabies World Cup quarter-final loss to England.

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