Centre Morgan Turinui has been added to Australia's World Cup squad as a replacement for loose forward David Lyons, who broke his leg playing against Canada last Saturday.

Turinui (pictured), 25, will join the Wallabies in Marseille this week as they prepare for their quarter-final against defending champions England on Saturday.

He has won 20 caps and briefly served as vice-captain but has not played a test since 2005 and was overlooked for selection in the original 30-man squad.

Australia coach John Connolly had told reporters he was considering replacing Lyons with an inside back because the Wallabies already had enough loose forwards but wanted extra cover for injured fly-half Stephen Larkham.

Larkham is resigned to missing the quarter-final against England after undergoing two minor knee operations and is in danger of being ruled out of the World Cup altogether.

His place in the starting side has gone to 21-year-old Queenslander Berrick Barnes, who has done a fine job so far but faces the daunting task of marking Jonny Wilkinson next weekend.

With no other specialist fly-halves in the squad Matt Giteau, who is currently playing inside centre, is the obvious choice to take over at number 10 should Barnes get injured with Turinui likely to fill his place in the midfield.

Lyons is facing an extended break from the game after snapping his left fibula in Australia's 37-6 win over Canada in Bordeaux on Saturday.

He is the second Australian player to be ruled out of the tournament after utility back Mark Gerrard injured his knee in the opening game against Japan.

Reuters