Force halfback ruled out for season

Western Force halfback Ryan Louwrens' hopes of earning a Wallabies debut this year have been ruined by a season-ending knee injury.

The 26-year-old limped from the field early in his side's 24-15 Super Rugby loss to the Blues in Auckland on Saturday.

Scans on Monday confirmed Louwrens had ruptured the ACL in his knee.

Louwrens had been one of the Force's best players in a dismal start to the season that has yielded just one win from five games.

Some had tipped the Johannesburg-born No.9 to vie for the Wallabies squad this season with France-based veteran Will Genia no certainty to be picked and Nick Phipps and Nick Frisby out of favour at the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.

Utility back Ian Prior is likely to return to his regular position at halfback for the Force's clash against South Africa's Southern Kings on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Force captain Ben McCalman is a strong chance to be named for his first match of the year after recovering from a thumb injury while lock Adam Coleman is set to return from a calf injury in about a fortnight.