July 7, 2026 — 2:20pmWallabies No.10 Carter Gordon has been ruled out of Australia’s next two Tests with a calf injury.The playmaker was substituted in the second half of the Wallabies’ narrow defeat to Ireland in Sydney on Saturday with what initially was believed to be cramps.Wallabies playmaker Carter Gordon. Getty ImagesHowever, scans have revealed a calf injury, ruling Gordon out of Saturday’s second Test against France in Brisbane and the following weekend’s clash with Italy in Perth.His absence leaves Ben Donaldson in the box seat to start at No.10 against the French at Suncorp Stadium and Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith to potentially debut off the bench.“Devastated for him,” said Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight. “Injuries are a part of rugby and we’ve always said next man up. We’ve got Donno and Dec who had a great Super [Rugby] season and they’re pushing their case. We’ve still got some continuity there.”Meanwhile, back-rower Tom Hooper has also been ruled out of Australia’s second match of the Nations Championship with a shoulder injury, as per a Wallabies statement on Tuesday afternoon.Hooper came off the bench in Australia’s 33-31 defeat in Sydney.More to comeTom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners