WorldSP rookie Andrew Irwin has been ruled out of the opening Phillip Island WorldSBK round after a crash in testing today ended in broken hand.

The young Ulsterman is awaiting surgery for the injury at St. Vincent’s hospital in Melbourne and, with a full month to go before the next round at Chang in Thailand he is certain to be fully recovered and back in the saddle.

Irwin said: “I am sorry to the whole team and all my sponsors. I will be back 100 per cent for Thailand.”

CIA Honda have wasted no time and drafted in Australian Aiden Wagner to compete at his home round.