Uncapped Wallabies fly-half Declan Meredith named to start against France

Uncapped fly-half Declan Meredith won’t just get the chance to debut for the Wallabies against France on Saturday evening, but the 27-year-old will wear the No. 10 jersey after being propelled straight into the run-on side.

Meredith was rewarded for a breakout Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the ACT Brumbies by initially earning a spot in the Wallabies squad for the July Nations Championship, along with two other potential debutants.

Brumbies lock Lachlan Shaw became Wallaby number 996 after coming off the bench in the 33-31 defeat to Ireland in Sydney, and Meredith is now set to follow. The playmaker starts in the halves alongside club captain Ryan Lonergan.

Carter Gordon steered the team around the park as the starting fly-half against Ireland, but the Wallabies announced this week the Queenslander would miss the next two Tests with a calf strain. Ben Donaldson has not been named in the 23 to face the French either.

There is only one other change to the First XV, with Tom Wright linking up with Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen in the outside backs. Jock Campbell shifts to the bench, now expected to provide cover at fly-half and fullback.

Reigning John Eales Medal winner (Wallabies Player of the Year) Len Ikitau has been retained at inside centre, set to continue the midfield partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, which has become a regular combination in the Wallabies team.

In the forwards, Reds hooker Josh Nasser has retained the starting role ahead of Western Force rake Brandon Paenga Amosa. Nasser joins loosehead prop Angus Bell and 89-Test tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa up front.

Josh Canham has held onto the starting role at No. 4 lock after a maiden Test start against the Irish. Joining Jeremy Williams in the second row. Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight are the two flankers, with captain Harry Wilson rounding out the pack at No. 8.

Nick Champion de Crespigny moves onto the bench after Tom Hooper was ruled out with a shoulder injury. There is one other change to the replacements, with Reds utility Filipo Daugunu getting the chance to wear gold for the 21^st time.

“The group has reset this week in Brisbane after what was a tough ending to the first game of the Nations Championship,” coach Joe Schmidt said.

“We have worked hard on continuing to improve after missing some vital opportunities last weekend. We know we can be better on Saturday, and we know that we will need to be against the back-to-back Six Nations Champions.”

Fixture

Nations Championship

Australia

00:40

11 Jul 26

France

All Stats and Data

Wallabies team to take on France

1. Angus Bell (51 Tests) – #940
2. Josh Nasser (12 Tests) – #979
3. Allan Alaalatoa (89 Tests) – #896
4. Josh Canham (3 Tests) – #987
5. Jeremy Williams (26 Tests) – #973
6. Rob Valetini (63 Tests) – #929
7. Fraser McReight (40 Tests) – #937
8. Harry Wilson (c) (37 Tests) – #933
9. Ryan Lonergan (6 Tests) – #993
10. Declan Meredith* – uncapped
11. Dylan Pietsch (10 Tests) – #978
12. Len Ikitau (51 Tests) – #944
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (19 Tests) – #988
14. Max Jorgensen (21 Tests) – #984
15. Tom Wright (44 Tests) – #939

Replacements

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (26 Tests) – #918
17. James Slipper (152 Tests) – #843
18. Taniela Tupou (69 Tests) – #917
19. Lachlan Shaw (1 Test) – #996
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny (4 Tests) – #991
21. Tate McDermott (51 Tests) – #936
22. Jock Campbell (5 Tests) – #959
23. Filipo Daugunu (20 Tests) – #931

*denotes Test debut