With both Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau out injured, Flatley started against Ireland and Wales, with Grey and winger Joe Roff training as his back-up fly-halves.

But he was told to hot-foot it back to Brisbane after oversleeping and missing a compulsory team recovery session in Parramatta.

Grey also worked closely alongside scrum-half George Gregan today and has turned out at fly-half more often than Roff, whose last run at 10 was at school in Canberra over a decade ago.

But Jones ruled out calling in Queensland’s Australia A utility man Julian Huxley and claims to have no qualms in naming an untested replacement.

“I think it is exciting for us, a little bit different,” said Jones today.

“It’s a difficult situation. We have exhausted all the number 10s in Australia, through one process or another.

“We are not sure how they are going to go, England are not sure how they are going to go, so it makes for an exciting match.”

Despite the positive spin, Jones admitted cutting his only fly-half was not an easy decision to make, but rules are rules and Flatley had transgressed the team code.

“All other options had been exercised and it was the step we had to take. It was in his best interests and the best interests of the team that we took that action,” said Jones.

“Everyone likes consistency and it was the consistent step we had to take. In terms of team strength it is important we are consistent in the application of how the team operates, rather than looking at short term result.”

After finally emerging from Larkham’s shadow to start the last four Test matches, Flatley had a major opportunity to stake a long-term claim for the Wallaby number 10 jersey by going toe-to-toe with Jonny Wilkinson.

But a big night on the town in Sydney has cost him, and it is not the first time – the Queensland Reds star received a warning for a similar offence after last year’s Tri-Nations.

“England have come over here and are in fine form at the moment and I would love to be there, but it’s not to be,” he said today.

“I know I broke a rule and I have just got to take it on the chin. It was my mistake and I’ll learn from it.

“I have let myself down and I have got to look forward now – there is no point looking back – get back, try and do the right things so it won’t happen again.”

Roff insisted the Wallabies would not be knocked from their stride and was confident whoever is chosen to play fly-half will have the experience to cope with the challenge of bettering Wilkinson.

“It would be a challenge, Jonny Wilkinson is a quality player and has played enough at fly-half to know all the tricks there,” said Roff.

“But Nathan and myself have both played Test rugby and I think we would have enough experience not to let the occasion overwhelm the job at hand.”

Roff said before training he had no idea what Jones was planning, though he did admit Grey would be a mere fill-in for Flatley.

“In terms of playing experience he has more. Playing inside centre, he probably fulfils that role more than I would in a game,” said Roff.

“It’s all about what’s best for the team and if the coaching staff want me to play 10, I’d relish it.

“I don’t think it’s disruptive. Flats adds a lot to the team and it’s disappointing from the players’ perspective that he’s not here, but we are a squad and a team, and we have a job to do.

“We won’t let anything distract us from that. This might just be a bit of a reality check, not just for him but for all of us.”