Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman may be in doubt for the start of the Rugby Championship after being diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone.

McCalman incurred the injury in the Force’s 33-20 loss to the Brumbies on Friday and will miss the last-placed Force’s final match of the Super Rugby season against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

A veteran of 38 Tests, 27-year-old McCalman played nine Tests last year, including every minute of all four Europe tour matches against Wales, France, Ireland and England under new coach Michael Cheika.

The Wallabies begin their countdown to September’s Rugby World Cup when they meet South Africa in Brisbane on July 18 in their opening match of the abbreviated Rugby Championship.