Australia's Mortlock to miss World Cup opener

Stirling Mortlock has been ruled out of Australia's World Cup opener against Argentina on Friday after being struck down by gastroenteritis…

Stirling Mortlock has been ruled out of Australia's World Cup opener against Argentina on Friday after being struck down by gastroenteritis.

The outside-centre has been bed-ridden for the last two days after team medics quarantined him from the rest of the squad.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones will announce his squad for the tournament curtain raiser tomorrow, with Mat Rogers or Matt Burke the likely replacements for Mortlock.

Second row Olivier Brouzet will miss France's opening game against Fiji on Saturday. He has been suffering with a shoulder complaint, and coach Bernard Laporte has decided not to take any chances.

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It is the second blow Laporte has suffered to his selection plans - prop Sylvain Marconnet is also out after failing to recover from a thigh strain.

However, France are hopeful that centre Xavier Garbajosa will play after recovering from leg bruising.

Argentina's longest serving player, Rolando Martin, announced today he would retire from international rugby after the World Cup.

PA