Horwill eyes European excursion

Injured Wallaby captain James Horwill hopes to return to full fitness in time for the end-of-year tour of Europe.

The first of three Wallaby skippers to fall to the ‘captain’s curse’, Horwill has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in a Super Rugby clash back in May.

Horwill said he had yet to start high intensity training or take contact but was hopeful that he would rejoin the squad for the European excursion, which will see Australia play England, Italy and Wales in November and December

"I'd like to get on that tour and play some rugby to finish out the year," Horwill told The Australian.

"I'd love to get back on the field. I've had enough of training and doing rehab.

"I'd like to get back and play rugby, but in saying that I don't want to force it and risk re-injury or injuring something else.

"I want to make sure I'm 100 per cent right to go. If everything continues the way it is, I'm hopeful that can happen."

Stand-in captains David Pocock and Will Genia joined Horwill on the casualty list during the ongoing Rugby Championship, with utility back James O’Connor also unavailable due to injury.

Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill said the injuries to key personnel has played an integral role in the Wallabies’ struggles this season.

"It's not just the quantity of the injuries, but the quality," said O’Neill.

"Name a team anywhere in the world that has lost three captains in one season and the X-factor players that were such a formidable part of our renaissance last year.

"Quade Cooper has just come back from injury, James O'Connor is out injured and Kurtley Beale is struggling for form after being injured.

"We haven't lost foot soldiers. We have lost World XV players and lost them in numbers."