Wallabies skipper James Horwill and Melbourne Rebels flyhalf Kurtley Beale out of June Tests against Wales and Scotland

WALLABIES captain James Horwill and backline star Kurtley Beale have both been ruled out of Australia's four June Tests.

Kurtley Beale Melbourne Rebels

The Wallabies have been hit by major injury blows ahead of their first Test of the season next week after Kurtley Beale and skipper James Horwill were ruled out of the June series.

It was confirmed today that Beale requires an operation for a shoulder injury while Horwill has a serious hamstring injury.

The loss of Beale is damaging for Australia's playmaking stocks given James O'Connor had been ruled out of the four Tests last week.

It will now be up to Quade Cooper - who has played just 120 minutes in seven months - to steer the Wallabies.

Coach Robbie Deans still could not confirm how many players who play in Tuesday week's Test against Scotland could back up against Wales the following Saturday.

Beale was the first choice playmaker but his absence will mean Cooper is rushed back while Berrick Barnes, Mike Harris and Pat McCabe will battle for the inside centre role.

"Kurtley had an appointment this morning with a specialist, he's going to require an operation,'' Deans said.

"The full extent of the damage to his shoulder wouldn't be known until the surgery.

"But the fact that he needs an operation is indicative of the fact that it is serious and it will rule him out of the June [Test] window.''

Horwill's leadership and presence at the lineout will also be missed.

David Pocock or Will Genia will captain the side while rookie locks Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle or Sitaleki Timani can expect game time throughout the series.