The Wallabies prop Ben Alexander has been ruled out of the three-Test rugby series against France with a nerve compression injury to his neck and has been replaced in the squad by Paddy Ryan.
Alexander played in 14 of Australia's 15 tests last year but the decision was made to rest him for the June series after the ACT Brumbies' 37-10 victory over the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday, when he started on the bench.
Australia open the series against France in Brisbane next week with two more tests to follow in Melbourne and Sydney.
