England vs Australia: David Pocock ruled out with injury as Wallabies forced into late change

Influential No 8 has been withdrawn from the Australia team to face England on Saturday with Pete Samu named in his place

David Pocock has been ruled out of England vs Australia this weekend (Reuters)

Australia have suffered an injury blow on the eve of their final autumn international against England with the news that David Pocock has been ruled out, having failed to recover from the neck injury that has plagued him this week.

With the 30-year-old unavailable for Saturday afternoon's clash at Twickenham, Australia head coach Michael Cheika has promoted Pete Samu to the starting line-up.

Cheika had spoken tentatively about Pocock's availability this weekend despite naming him in the starting line-up at No 8 on Thursday, but his failure to complete training after the announcement preceded a failed fitness test on Friday ahead of the Wallabies' planned captain's run at Twickenham.

“I wouldn’t he’s say fully fit,” Cheika said before Pocock's withdrawal. “He is hurting but desperate to play. He has them at him all year and he puts his head in places that people go to. He has copped a fair few whacks in there this year so he is certainly not scared of people."

More to follow...