Centre Morgan Turinui has been added to Australia's World Cup squad as a replacement for loose forward David Lyons, who broke a leg playing against Canada last Saturday.

Turinui (25) will join the Wallabies in Marseille this week as they prepare for their quarter-final against England on Saturday.

He has won 20 caps and briefly served as vice-captain but has not played a test since 2005 and was omitted from the original squad of 30.

Australia coach John Connolly had told reporters he was considering replacing Lyons with an inside back because the Wallabies already had enough loose forwards but needed extra cover for the injured outhalf Stephen Larkham.

Larkham is resigned to missing the quarter-final against England after undergoing two minor knee operations and is in danger of being ruled out of the World Cup altogether.

His place in the starting side has gone to the 21-year-old Queenslander Berrick Barnes, who has done a fine job but faces the daunting task of marking Jonny Wilkinson on Saturday.

With no other specialist outhalves in the squad Matt Giteau, who is currently playing inside centre, is the obvious choice to take over at number 10 should Barnes get injured, with Turinui likely to fill his place in the midfield.

Lyons is facing an extended break from the game after snapping his left fibula in Australia's 37-6 win over Canada in Bordeaux. He is the second Australian to be ruled out of the tournament; utility back Mark Gerrard injured a knee in the opening game.

Connolly hopes to have Stirling Mortlock, who missed the Canada game with a shoulder injury, back to face England.