ACT Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith will make his Wallabies debut on Saturday in his home state of Queensland in Australia’s Nations Championship clash against France at Suncorp Stadium.
With flyhalves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson both unavailable due to calf injuries, 27-year-old Cairns product Meredith will wear the No.10 jersey and partner his Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan in the halves.
Meredith’s inclusion is one of two changes to the team that started in Australia’s 33-31 loss to Ireland in Sydney last Saturday.
The other change is at fullback, where Brumbies custodian Tom Wright replaces Queensland Reds star Jock Campbell, who has been dropped to the bench.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said his squad had “reset” in Brisbane after a “tough ending” against the Irish.
“We have worked hard on continuing to improve after missing some vital opportunities last weekend,” Schmidt said.
“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.”
Apart from Meredith, others to brought into the 23-man for the battle with the French are Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny and Reds outside back Filipo Daugunu, who have both been named on the bench.
Wallabies: Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Dylan Pietsch, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Bench: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu.
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