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Shoulder injury … Scott Higginbotham (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer, File Photo)
Scott Higginbotham’s chances of playing against the British and Irish Lions remain unclear after he was forced to drop out of the Wallabies’ preliminary squad.
Higginbotham dislocated his shoulder in the Melbourne Rebels’ 33-20 loss to Queensland at Lang Park on Saturday night.
He will have to await the results of scans to determine whether he will take part in the Wallabies’ three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions starting this month.
Reds winger Digby Ioane (knee) and New South Wales lock Sitaleki Timani (thumb) have also dropped out of the 25-man squad that will assemble in Sydney on Sunday.
Rebels half-back Nick Phipps, Waratahs lock Kane Douglas and Western Force back rower Ben McCalman have been added by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Higginbotham left the field on Saturday night early in the second half but remained hopeful he can be cleared to play against the Lions, provided he does not require surgery.
“We’ll see how we go (with the scans) and hopefully it’s not too bad,” he told Grandstand after the loss to the Reds.
The addition of Phipps’ may raise eyebrows, as he was picked ahead of in-form Brumbies half-back Nic White.
We’ll see how we go (with the scans) and hopefully it’s not too bad.
Deans had included only one half-back, Will Genia, when he announced his initial squad last month, leaving the option open of naming a back-up nine when he adds six players to his line-up on June 11.
He has refused to rule out using Luke Burgess, who is returning from the French Top 14 to link up with the Rebels.
Deans says the inclusion of Phipps shows loyalty to the 24-year-old, who replaced Genia as the Wallabies’ starting half-back last year when the latter suffered a season-ending knee injury.
“Nick proved last year that he had the qualities to make a difference in the Test arena,” Deans said in a statement.
“He was called on at a time of great adversity and responded. His work rate makes a big difference to those around him, as does his enthusiasm both on and off the field.
“Pleasingly he has taken the benefits of his experience from last year back to the Rebels and added to them. He has been a point of difference player for the team this year and one of the leaders within their group.”
Deans says the elevation of Phipps does not mean White is out of contention for the Lions series.
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