Aaron Wainwright gets devastating news as Wales forced to change team

Wales have been dealt a hammer blow with star No 8 Aaron Wainwright ruled out for the next four months.

Wainwright will miss Saturday's second Test against Australia in Melbourne after tearing his hamstring and will also be absent for the start of the United Rugby Championship season. Wales had been working hard to get Wainwright fit for this weekend's clash but the 26-year-old faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Cardiff backrower James Botham is in line to replace him in the starting XV, while Kemsley Mathias and Cameron Winnett could replace Gareth Thomas and Liam Williams should they fail to recover from injury. Botham has been outstanding for Cardiff this season while he impressed against both South Africa and as a second-half replacement in Sydney last weekend.

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Cardiff backrower MacKenzie Martin is in line for a place on the replacements bench. The loss of Wainwright is a hammer blow to Wales' chances of overturning the Wallabies on Saturday and putting an end to an eight Test losing streak.

Despite Wales' troubles of late Wainwright has been outstanding in the No 8 shirt and was totemic against the Wallabies in Sydney last weekend while his injury is also a massive blow for the Dragons.

The Wales team is announced at midnight.