Shoulder injury rules Quade Cooper out of Wallabies’ first Test against France next month

WALLABIES five-eighth Quade Cooper has been ruled out of Australia's season-opening Test against France next month.

Quade Cooper injured his shoulder in the Reds’ loss to the Rebels.

WALLABIES five-eighth Quade Cooper has been ruled out of Australia's season-opening Test against France next month.

Cooper suffered a shoulder injury in Queensland's last-minute 30-27 loss to the Melbourne Rebels, a sixth straight defeat that leaves the Reds bottom of the Super Rugby ladder and facing the demoralising prospect of collecting the wooden spoon.

Cooper's anticipated month on the sidelines leaves Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie on the hunt for a new No. 10 for the first of three Tests against Les Bleus in Brisbane on June 7.

Quade Cooper injured his shoulder in the Reds’ loss to the Rebels.

A standout on the Wallabies' spring tour, Cooper was likely to hold on to his Test starting spot despite the Reds' forgettable Super campaign, but now McKenzie must weigh up the merits of several playmaking contenders.

Brumbies five-eighth Matt Toomua, who made his Test debut in McKenzie's first match in charge of the Wallabies last year, looks the favourite for a recall, but Bernard Foley has soared into contention after a superb season for the Waratahs.

Fellow Waratahs midfielder Kurtley Beale could also slot into the Wallabies playmaking hot seat, a role not unfamiliar to the classy backline utility.

Foley, though, was instrumental again for the Waratahs on Sunday, creating four tries and nailing seven goals from as many attempts in their 41-13 victory over the Lions.