IAIN Fairley yesterday became the first injury victim of Scotland's tour of Australia and Fiji when he suffered a badly broken nose.

The reserve scrum-half from Kelso was floored during a mock mauling session at the Carrara rugby league ground, near the Scots' training base in Broadbeach, Queensland.

Despite the painful knock, Fairley - who was called up as an eleventh-hour replacement for hamstring-tear victim Andy Nicol - is not expected to be sidelined as a result of the mishap.

He said: ''I just ran flat-bang into a crowd of guys - it was like hitting a brick wall.''

Fairley knew the outcome instantly, explaining: ''I've suffered the same injury about four times already, so I had a fair idea it was broken again.''

The incident edged him in front of Scotland manager and former Kelso player Arthur Hastie in the ''fractured nose league.'' Hastie quipped: ''I only managed it four times in my time at Poynder Park.''

Meanwhile, Fiji management have dropped a bombshell by ditching the man Scotland feared most for Tuesday's encounter in Suva. Waisale Serevi - regarded as the most talented Sevens player of all time - has been consigned to the bench for the one-off Test.

The Scots management had admitted that the island hop across the South Pacific from Australia would be a leap into the unknown.

And with Serevi surprisingly on the sidelines, that will now be even more the case.

Also among the substitutes is utility back Jacob Raulini, who had a successful spell three seasons ago with Dundee HSFP. He is currently in the Queensland Super 12 squad.

Coach Jim Telfer declared: ''Obviously we knew a fair bit about Serevi, but we have virtually no info at all on the others who will be in their starting line-up.

''What we are aware of is that they will be far more disciplined than the times we have played them before.

''They now have two New Zealand coaches - Brad Johnston and Gary Cunningham - so the basics will have been well and truly drummed into them.

''Two or three years back, Fiji were lax and careless, but I wouldn't imagine that will be the case now.''

Hastie added: ''We will have to be on our guard because they are keen to re-establish themselves in the XV-a-side game.

''They failed to qualify for the last World Cup because they focused on Sevens, but they now realise that to get back into world ratings they have to perform in the real game.''

Meanwhile, two young players who helped the Wallabies beat Scotland at Murrayfield in November have been listed in the Australian Barbarians side to face the Scots at Penrith, near Sydney, on June 9.

Elton Flatley made his Test debut in Edinburgh at stand-off, but will be at inside centre for the Down Under Baa-Baas, while John Langford slots into the back row.

The select team will be led by outside half Pat Howard, who also featured at Murrayfield in the Dunblane international fund-raiser almost two years ago.

Fiji: J Waqa, A Tuilevu, F Lasagavibau, L Little, S Sorovaki (capt), N Little, S Rabaka, J Vetayaki, I Rasila, M Taga, E Katalau, S Raiwalui, A Naevo, M Tamanitoakula, A Mocelutu. Substitutes: M Bari, J Raulini, W Serevi, M Nakauta, I Tawake, I Nasau, S Saumaisue, E Batimala.

qWasps lock Simon Shaw is the latest player to pull out of England's tour to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Shaw, who has had to withdraw on medical grounds, is replaced by Gloucester's uncapped lock Dave Sims. England coach Clive Woodward now has 19 uncapped players in his 37-man squad.

qNigel Davies has come through a fitness test and will make a record eighth SWALEC Cup final appearance for Llanelli when they face Ebbw Vale at Ashton Gate, Bristol, today.

Former Wales centre and captain Davies had been struggling with a hamstring injury.

However, while Davies will be setting one record, Martyn Madden will set another when he becomes the first on-loan player to appear in a Welsh Cup final.

Prop Madden will pack down in the Llanelli front row thanks to the co-operation of South West One club Penzance and Newlyn.

His availability comes as a welcome boost to the Scarlets, who have been hit by a bout of front-row injuries and who faced the prospect of going into their biggest domestic match of the season with a seriously weakened side.