Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has called NSW Waratahs forwards Clem Halaholo and Tevita Alatini into their U20 World Championship squad following a physical defeat to Ireland.
Grey lost Massimo de Lutiis (hamstring) and Jhy Legg (ankle) during the 30-10 defeat to the Six Nations champions.
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The scrum struggled when de Lutiis limped off the field just before half-time as Ireland raced away late in the game.
"It's a very disappointing outcome for Jhy and Massimo, who were playing great Rugby and making a significant contribution to our team," Grey said in a statement.
"There's no question this tournament is tough and every team will face setbacks that they need to overcome.
"We'll take this disappointment in our stride, bring in cover from back home, and prepare for the next challenge."
Adding to Grey's frustration is the fact World Rugby cited Irish duo Rory Telfer and James McNabney after the match for their respective hits.
McNabney and Telfer were suspended for three games each, with the Disciplinary Committee ruling that they should've been red carded
It compounds the squad's nightmare injury luck, losing Tom Lynagh on the eve of their departure to South Africa after hurting his calf during the Reds' Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Chiefs.
This came after Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen suffered a long-term knee injury during their defeat to the Crusaders.
The Junior Wallabies will look to bounce back against England on Tuesday, needing a bonus point and results to go their way to qualify for the semi-finals.
"We are still in control," Grey said after the match.
"We can't control what happens in the other games but, for us, the important thing is the performance we put in against England.
"We are looking forward to that already but we have got to make sure we take the learnings from this game."
"It is going to be tough to go through but the boys still have the belief that they can do well against England next week and get a win," captain Teddy Wilson added.
