Berrick Barnes will be fit to start the 2010 Super 14 season after receiving positive news on the ankle injury that has ruled him out of Australia’s Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.The Wallabies vice-captain will not require surgery after injuring an ankle in training before to 32-19 defeat to New Zealand in the fourth and final  Bledisloe Cup Test in Tokyo on Saturday.

It had been feared Barnes would be sidelined for several months, however, he is now expected to be fit to begin pre-season training later this year or early in the new year.

“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be right for the start of the Super 14 season,” Barnes said. “It is good news that I don’t need surgery and it’s a matter now of working hard on the rehab.”

Meanwhile, Dean Mumm will lead Australia for the first time when the Wallabies take on Gloucester in London on Tuesday night.

Four players — Tyrone Smith, Kurtley Beale, Dave Dennis and Salesi Ma’afu — will make their Australia debuts while uncapped duo Richard Kingi and Matt Toomua are on the bench.

Centre Ryan Cross is the only player from the starting XV backing up from the team beaten by the All Blacks in Tokyo on Saturday.

“We had intended to avoid backing anyone up in the midweek fixture who had started against the All Blacks, but our injury circumstance in the midfield meant that Ryan was required to start,” coach Robbie Deans said.

“We did look at starting Matt Toomua, but as he only joined the squad on Sunday when we arrived in London, and would only have the benefit of one day of preparation with the team, we felt that backing up Ryan was the better option.

“He got through the game last Saturday well and indicated to me straight after the Test match that he was keen to play.”

A near sell-out crowd is expected for the game against a Gloucester side struggling in the bottom third of the Guinness Premiership.