Cooper out of French series

Star Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper is set to miss next month's Test series against France.

This follows after a shoulder injury in the Reds' 27-30 Super Rugby loss to the Rebels in Brisbane on Saturday.

Cooper is facing at least a month on the sidelines, after being diagnosed with a grade three AC separation – the result of a jolting hit on his left shoulder just after setting up an early try to Mike Harris.

With Australian coach Ewen McKenzie set to name his 32-man Wallaby squad to face the French on Thursday, the timing couldn't be worse for Cooper – who was likely to start in the first of three Tests in Brisbane on June 7.

The 50-Test flyhalf was on the field for just eight minutes before landing heavily on his shoulder in a heavy tackle by Rebels pair Laurie Weeks and Tom Kingston.

"I knew there was something wrong," Cooper said.

"I heard a bit of a crack and I could feel that my shoulder wasn't sitting right so I was told I had dislocated my AC joint."

Cooper's setback opens the way for Brumbies' playmaker Matt Toomua to take his place in the Wallabies' starting line-up against the French.

AFP