The key facts

  • Teddy Wilson and Tom Lambert are debutants in Australia's Nations Championship squad
  • Wilson's father David played 79 matches for Australia and won the 1999 World Cup
  • Australia will play England, Scotland, Wales and one more team in November

Two debutants in the squad

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has announced the squad for the November tests as part of the Nations Championship. Included for the first time are 23-year-old scrum-half Teddy Wilson and loosehead prop Tom Lambert. Wilson is listed as backup behind Ryan Lonergan and Tate McDermott. His father David played 79 matches for Australia, nine as captain, and was part of the team that won the 1999 World Cup. In a year's time Australia will host the World Cup.

Returns and squad decisions

Europe-based Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper, who came off the bench in the victory over reigning world champions South Africa in Perth last month, have returned to the squad. They did not take part in the Bledisloe Cup matches against New Zealand, which ended in two heavy defeats, as those games fell outside the World Rugby global release window. Fly-halves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson and centre Len Ikitau have returned from injuries, while Hunter Paisami has served his suspension for a high tackle.

Coach's quote

“There is real excitement in the team ahead of four incredibly demanding matches against high-calibre opponents in the November Nations Championship tests,” said Kiss. “We have made tough selection decisions to build squad depth, and we know this tour will test the whole group on many levels. The tour provides a valuable opportunity to trial new combinations and advance our game in all aspects.”

Schedule and squad

Australia will travel to Europe for tests against England, Scotland, Wales and one more team, to be determined later, on the final weekend of the Nations Championship. Harry Wilson is named captain; among the forwards are Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and others, and among the backs are Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright and debutant Teddy Wilson.