The Wallabies have suffered a significant blow ahead of their spring tour finale against England, with in-form centre Tevita Kuridrani ruled out with an ankle injury.

Kuridrani was hurt early in the second half of Saturday’s 26-23 loss to Ireland in Dublin and tests on Monday confirmed he suffered a low grade syndesmosis injury.

The Fijian-born centre will remain with the squad in London this week but his unavailability for Saturday’s match at Twickenham will hurt Australia’s hopes of avoiding their worst spring tour result since 2005.

The 23-year-old Brumbies star has been arguably the Wallabies’ form player in recent months, scoring in three of the past six matches and causing opposition defences havoc with his power and pace.

His injury could pave the way for Kurtley Beale to start against England, after the controversial utility replaced Kuridrani off the bench against Ireland.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika could also opt to recall the likes of Rob Horne or Christian Leali’ifano, with another option shifting Adam Ashley-Cooper infield, allowing Henry Speight to keep his spot on one wing and Joe Tomane to return on the other.

Australia are out to avoid losing three spring tour Tests for the first time in nine years and Saturday’s clash takes on added significance ahead of the sides meeting in the group stage at next year’s World Cup.

“You can certainly treat this match as a warm-up game for that World Cup match,” Ashley-Cooper said on Monday.

“The reality is that’s seven or eight months away, but we do have England at Twickenham in the World Cup so this gives us a really good understanding of what it’s going to be like.”

Australia’s only loss of last year’s European tour came at the hands of England, with a late, controversial try to Owen Farrell handing the hosts a 20-13 win.

“There were a couple of decisions at the end that didn’t go our way but that’s life,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“It was a hard and physical encounter like they always have been when I’ve been here.

“They’ve always come down to five or seven points and that game was no different.

“It’s the last game of our year and it’s really important we finish on a good note before we pick up together again prior to a rugby World Cup.”