ENGLAND have suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia as Jasmin Strange has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup through injury.

The Sydney Roosters player, who was born in New South Wales but qualifies for England through her mother, made her international debut in their opening 70-6 defeat of Wales, scoring a try.

She was set to retain her spot in the back row to face the world champion Jillaroos in Perth, only to suffer a knee injury in training on Tuesday afternoon.

Leeds Rhinos’ Lucy Murray will now take Strange’s place in the team for her first appearance at this World Cup, while England won’t be calling up a squad replacement.

Head coach Stuart Barrow said: “She played very well at the weekend so we lose a bit of quality there, but we brought 23 players who are competing for shirts so we’re very confident we can cover that loss.”

Australia: 1 Tamika Upton, 2 Jaime Chapman, 3 Julia Robinson, 4 Isabelle Kelly, 5 Abbi Church, 6 Jocelyn Kelleher, 7 Tarryn Aiken, 8 Millie Elliott, 9 Olivia Higgins, 10 Simaima Taufa, 11 Tiana Penitani, 12 Shaylee Bent, 13 Olivia Kernick. Subs: 14 Quincy Dodd, 15 Sarah Togatuki, 16 Makenzie Weale, 17 Sariah Paki. 18th woman: 18 Ellie Johnston. Reserves: 19 Keilee Joseph, 20 Kezie Apps, 21 Jesse Southwell, 22 Jessica Sergis.

England: 1 Fran Goldthorp, 2 Anna Davies, 3 Molly Jones, 4 Connie Boyd, 5 Amelia Brown, 6 Isabel Rowe, 7 Jenna Foubister, 8 Liv Wood, 9 Keara Bennett, 10 Hollie-Mae Dodd, 21 Lucy Murray, 12 Eva Hunter, 13 Megan Williams. Subs: 14 Jodie Cunningham, 15 Vicky Whitfield, 16 Georgia Roche, 17 Lucie Sams. 18th woman: 18 Hope Millard. Reserve: 19 Mary Coleman, 20 Georgia Wilson.