Australia lock Nathan Sharpe will miss his side's forthcoming tour of the United Kingdom after failing to overcome a shoulder injury.
Sharpe, 31, picked up the injury six weeks ago but it has failed to recover and he will now have an operation.
"I gave it as best a shot as I could but it didn't work out," he said.
The Wallabies play Tests against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in consecutive weeks and will name their 35-man squad for the tour on Friday.
Sharpe is Australia's number one lock and trained with the team at Sydney's St Ignatius College this week in a bid to prove his fitness.
"I've just been trying to manage it and get it right for this trip," added Sharpe, who picked up the injury in a Test match against New Zealand in August.
"There's no point going on a tour like this and being a passenger. I'm only going to let the rest of the guys down."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans conceded that the absence of Sharpe is a blow to his team.
"It's obviously an area where we're not over-endowed with depth so it is a blow," said Deans.
"It would have been nice to have had him there but it's an opportunity for someone else now."
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