May 18, 2009 - 1:56pm
Story by: ARU

Queensland Reds fullback Mark McLinden has been prevented from making his Australian Sevens debut after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Reds Investec Super 14 clash against the Hurricanes in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Ben Lucas was also ruled out from Sevens duties after damaging his knee during the same match.

McLinden and Lucas were named last week in the Australian side forthe final two legs of the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series in London (May 23-24) and Edinburgh (May 30-31).

To replace the Queensland Reds casualties, Australian Sevens selectors have called up Brumbies back Francis Fainifo and Timothy Walsh of the Randwick Rugby Club in Sydney.

Walsh has previous Sevens experience.

The Australian Sevens team departed for London yesterday