Wallabies drop Mortlock and Young

Mortlock has suffered with injuries this season

Australia have dropped centre Stirling Mortlock and prop Bill Young from their squad to tour Europe in November.

The pair have been told to work on their fitness after suffering injuries during the Super 12 season.

Hooker Jeremy Paul (neck) has already been ruled out while fellow forward Al Kanaar is serving a three-month ban for stamping on an opponent's head.

The Wallabies will play Tests against France (5 Nov), England (12 Nov), Ireland (19 Nov) and Wales (26 Nov).

Australian coach Eddie Jones said Mortlock, who missed the latter half of the Super 12 season with a variety of injuries, needed an opportunity to work on his strength and speed.

As for Young, Jones said he had played 550 minutes of Test rugby with a groin injury and needed to recuperate.

Australia's 42-man squad will be cut to a touring party of 30 early next month.

Kanaar's place has been taken by Australia A lock Adam Wallace-Harrison.