Why Joe Schmidt believes Lachlan Shaw is ready for Wallabies debut

Lachlan Shaw is in line to become Wallaby number 996 after being named on the bench ahead of this weekend’s clash with Ireland, having earned the confidence of national coach Joe Schmidt throughout the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Shaw has been named on the bench in the first Wallabies team of 2026, with the men in gold preparing to kick off their inaugural Nations Championship campaign in front of a sold-out crowd at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

Western Force captain Jeremy Williams and Queensland Reds enforcer Josh Canham will have an opportunity to lay down a marker in the run-on side before Shaw potentially gets a chance to play minutes as the covering lock.

Shaw is coming off a breakout season with the Brums, having started seven matches across the previous two campaigns. But the 23-year-old featured in the starting side in 13 of 14 appearances during the team’s run to the playoffs.

The lock, who spent an NPC season in New Zealand with Manawatu a couple of years ago, was one of three uncapped players selected in the squad for the July Tests but is the only potential debutant in the first Wallabies team of 2026.

“Probably the volume of work that he got through in the Super Rugby season. He’s a high-volume player. He’s lean and athletic so his ability to get up and contest is first rate. At the same time, his ability to play close to the ground is very good for such a big man,” Schmidt told reporters in Sydney.

“Across the board I thought he had a really good Super season and is a good investment for us going forward. He’s a young man that’s really driven to be where he is and to go even further.”

Canham debuted for the Wallabies away to Argentina on September 8, 2024, and had to wait more than a year for another Test appearance. The forward played two matches for Australia A before earning a Wallabies recap to face Japan last October.

The Reds lock spent some time on the sidelines but returned in time for the last two rounds of the regular season and the Qualifying Final defeat to the Chiefs. Queensland teammate Josh Nasser expressed unwavering confidence in Canham ahead of what will be the lock’s third Test.

“He’s a very skilful, intelligent lock. We missed him big time in our Reds season when he got injured but he came back in the last few games of the season and he was very dominant,” Nasser, who has been named at hooker, said on Thursday.

“He’s in great form for us and I’m sure he’ll perform on Saturday.”

Angus Bell is back from a sabbatical season with Irish side Ulster, now set to add to his 50 Test appearances after being named at loosehead prop. Nasser and 88-Test tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa round out the starting front row trio.

Canham will wear the number four jersey, packing down alongside Williams. Two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini has been selected at blindside flanker, with Fraser McReight at openside and Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson at No. 8.

Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan will link up with Reds pivot Carter Gordon in the halves, while Len Ikitau combines with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the midfield. Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen are the wingers, with Jock Campbell at fullback.