Wallabies Name Squad for British & Irish Lions Series

Eight players from the Western Force have been selected for the 36-man Wallabies squad. The team will face the British & Irish Lions in a highly anticipated series, kicking off in Brisbane on Saturday week, setting the stage for thrilling clashes.

Western Force Representation

The Force contingent includes Nick Champion de Crespigny, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Tom Robertson, Carlo Tizzano, Nic White, and Jeremy Williams. Their inclusion highlights the depth of talent within the Western Force and their contribution to Australian rugby.

Veteran Players Set for Second Lions Series

James Slipper, the Wallabies’ record-holder for Test appearances with 144 caps, is poised to join George Smith in an elite group. Both players will have represented Australia in two successive Lions Series, marking a significant achievement in their careers.

Also selected for his second consecutive series is James O’Connor (Wallaby No. 832). He had previously started at fly-half in all three matches of the 2013 campaign. O’Connor replaces Noah Lolesio, who was sidelined due to injury earlier in the week.

Squad Adjustments and Key Inclusions

Josh Canham has also been added to the squad. The experienced scrum-half Nic White is back in the squad, after missing out on selection in 2013 due to injury. Will Skelton, who played against the Lions for the Waratahs 12 years ago, has also secured a spot.

A Father-Son Legacy in the Making

Tom Lynagh is on the verge of emulating his father’s achievement. He aims to become the first Wallaby to follow in his father Michael’s footsteps by playing against the Lions. Michael Lynagh donned the gold jersey when the Lions toured in 1989.

New Blood and Squad Composition

Corey Toole from the Brumbies and Nick Champion de Crespigny from the Force are the two uncapped players in the squad. The squad comprises 20 forwards and 16 backs, balancing experience and fresh talent.

Series Schedule and Preparations

The team will remain in Brisbane to prepare for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday night. Subsequent matches will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26 and Sydney’s Accor Stadium on August 2.

Coach’s Perspective

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt stated: “As Wallabies coaches, we have tried to balance continuity with form and freshness, but there were some very tight calls.”

Schmidt added: “We’re conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so for those selected in the squad, they’ll be competing for Test jerseys, while also trying to help others prepare. We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first Test here in eight days. We are excited by what’s to come.”

Meanwhile, the average attendance at rugby union matches in Australia has seen fluctuations, with major events like the British & Irish Lions tour expected to boost attendance figures significantly (Statista 2023).

Wallabies Squad List

Forwards (20)

• Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors, ACT Brumbies, 81)
• Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 36)
• Josh Canham (#987, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 1)
• Nick Champion De Crespigny (uncapped, Canberra Grammar School, Western Force, 0)
• Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints, Queensland Reds, 14)
• Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions, ACT Brumbies, 26)
• Langi Gleeson (#960, Harbord Harlequins, NSW Waratahs, 15)
• Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs, ACT Brumbies, 11)
• Fraser McReight (#937, Albany Creek Brumbies, Queensland Reds, 26)
• Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles, Queensland Reds, 11)
• Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 7)
• David Porecki (#952, Seaforth Raiders, NSW Waratahs, 20)
• Tom Robertson (#898, Dubbo Kangaroos, Western Force, 31)
• Will Skelton (#883, The Hills Sports High School, Stade Rochelais (France), 32)
• James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates, ACT Brumbies, 144)
• Carlo Tizzano (#982, University of Western Australia, Western Force, 6)
• Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby (Brisbane), NSW Waratahs, 58)
• Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, ACT Brumbies, 52)
• Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers, Western Force, 11)
• Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils, Queensland Reds, 23)

Backs (16)

• Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Rugby Club (Brisbane), Queensland Reds, 12)
• Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles, Western Force, 17)
• Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors, NSW Waratahs, 29)
• Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings, ACT Brumbies, 40)
• Max Jorgensen (#984, Balmain Wolves, NSW Waratahs, 8)
• Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club, NSW Waratahs, 39)
• Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds, 3)
• Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 42)
• James O’Connor (#832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee, Crusaders (New Zealand), 64)
• Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, 31)
• Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms, Western Force, 5)
• Harry Potter (#989, Moorabbin Rams, Western Force, 3)
• Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, The Kings School, NSW Waratahs, 5)
• Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, 0)
• Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks, Western Force, 72)
• Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles, ACT Brumbies, 38)

Series Fixtures

• Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
• Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney