Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has today announced a 32-man squad for the upcoming three match Test series against France.
McKenzie has named four uncapped players to join the squad that boasts 831 of Test experience. The four players are all forwards with Nathan Charles from the Western Force at hooker and three locks – Luke Jones (Rebels), Sam Carter (Brumbies) and Will Skelton (Waratahs).
There is a recall for Western Force pair Pek Cowan and Matt Hodgson who have been rewarded for a solid year so far at Force and make up two of the five Force representatives in the squad.
Still in the fowards, Melbourne Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham makes his return to the Wallabies squad after missing the 2013 season due to injury.
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FORWARDS
Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
Pek Cowan (Force)
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
James Slipper (Reds)
Nathan Charles (Force)
Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
Sam Carter (Brumbies)
James Horwill (Reds)
Luke Jones (Rebels)
Rob Simmons (Reds)
Will Skelton (Waratahs)
Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)
Matt Hodgson (Force)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Ben McCalman (Force)
Wycliff Palu (Waratahs)
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BACKS
Will Genia (Reds)
Nick Phipps (Waratahs)
Nic White (Brumbies)
Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)
Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
Nick Cummins (Force)
Israel Folau (Waratahs)
Rob Horne (Waratahs)
Pat McCabe (Brumbies)
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The squad breakdown is 10 from the Brumbies, 11 from the Waratahs, 4 from the Reds, 2 from the Rebels and 5 from the Force.
In addition to the 32-man squad, McKenzie has invited four players to join the squad when they assemble in Queensland ahead of the opening Test in Brisbane on June 7. Wingers Henry Speight (Brumbies) and Tom English (Rebels) will join prop Paddy Ryan (Waratahs) and lock Cadeyrn Neville (Rebels).
Players who weren’t considered due to injury are Quade Cooper (shoulder), Kyle Godwin (knee), Luke Burgess (knee), Joe Tomane (cheekbone), Chris Feauai-Sautia (hamstring) and Peter Betham (ankle).
Hear McKenzie talk about the squad selection here:
The fixtures for the France series are:
Saturday 7 June – Suncorp Stadium Brisbane – 8PM
Saturday 14 June – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne- 8PM
Saturday 21 June – Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 3PM
