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Nick Taylor and AAP The West Australian
May 21, 2014, 1:23 pm
Western Force have been hit by another big injury blow with young rising star Kyle Godwin out with knee damage.
The posterior cruciate ligament damage also rules out the inside centre from a Wallabies spot in next month’s three-Test series against France.
Godwin was widely tipped to win a spot in Ewen McKenzie’s squad that will be announced tomorrow based on his excellent form this season.
The Force have a number of key players on the injury list, including scrum-half Alby Mathewson and winger Luke Morahan, while Godwin missed last Saturday’s Super Rugby defeat against the Stormers.
Godwin’s international debut will now be on hold for the second time. A shoulder reconstruction cost him a place on last year’s Spring tour to Europe.
Force forward Ben McCalman, meanwhile, hopes his hot form this season will be enough to thrust him into a starting Wallabies role.
McCalman has been a key driver in the Force's stunning resurgence this year, with the 26-year-old combining brilliantly with Matt Hodgson and Angus Cottrell to create a formidable back row.
Rebels enforcer Scott Higginbotham and Waratah Wycliff Palu are also in the running for the starting No.8 role for the upcoming three-Test series against France, with coach Ewen McKenzie to name his 32-man squad on Thursday.
"I get along with them well," McCalman said of Palu and Higginbotham.
"In certain games they may pick certain combinations. Obviously [the] boys are carrying form from the Tests last year.
"Personally I feel like it's probably the best season I've had so far. I'll see what happens with selection."