ACT Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith will become Wallaby number 997 on Saturday evening, selected to start at flyhalf against France in Brisbane as part of the Nations Championship.
The North Queensland junior will partner club teammate Ryan Lonergan in the halves, replacing Carter Gordon who has suffered a calf strain, while last week’s substitute Ben Donaldson has also been ruled out through injury.
Meredith is one of only two changes to the starting XV that fell just two points short in a cliffhanger against Ireland in Sydney last week, with Tom Wright named at fullback for the Test at Suncorp Stadium.
Max Jorgensen and Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch are again selected on the edges with the Wallabies set to recognise NAIDOC week by wearing their First Nations jersey – which has an updated artwork that includes an extra design feature to acknowledge Pietsch becoming the 15th Indigenous Wallaby.
Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will again partner in the midfield.
Four Queenslanders will start in the forward pack – Josh Nasser at hooker, Josh Canham at lock, Fraser McReight at openside flanker – with Harry Wilson set to once again lead from number eight.
Nasser is joined by experienced props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row, with Canham set to link with Jeremy Williams as the starting lock pairing.
Two-time John Eales Medallist, Rob Valetini is selected as blindside flanker in what is a familiar loose forward trio alongside McReight and Wilson.
Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Wallabies’ appearance record holder James Slipper and Paris-based Taniela Tupou make up a highly experienced replacement front row.
Last week’s debutant Lachlan Shaw retains his position as the replacement lock, playing his first Test in his hometown, while Nick Champion de Crespigny is named on the bench as forward cover – Tom Hooper has also been ruled out through injury.
Queensland Reds leader Tate McDermott will provide impact as the substitute scrumhalf, with his versatile club teammate Jock Campbell also named on the bench. Filipo Daugunu has been selected to finalise the matchday 23 in what is his first appearance in the gold jersey in 2026.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The group has reset this week in Brisbane after what was a tough ending to the first game of the Nations Championship.
“We have worked hard on continuing to improve after missing some vital opportunities last weekend. 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 “
1. Angus Bell (51 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
2. Josh Nasser (12 Tests) – #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (89 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Josh Canham (3 Tests) – #987; Harlequin Rugby Club
5. Jeremy Williams (26 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (63 Tests) – #929; Harlequin Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (40 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (37 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Ryan Lonergan (6 Tests) – #993; Tuggeranong Vikings
10. Declan Meredith* – uncapped; Barron Trinity Bulls
11. Dylan Pietsch (10 Tests) – #978; Leeton Phantoms
12. Len Ikitau (51 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (19 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (21 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (44 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (26 Tests) – #918; Southern Districts
17. James Slipper (152 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
18. Taniela Tupou (69 Tests) – #917; Brothers Rugby
19. Lachlan Shaw (1 Test) – #996; Ipswich Rangers
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny (4 Tests) – #991; Canberra Grammar School
21. Tate McDermott (51 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. Jock Campbell (5 Tests) – #959; Inverell Highlanders
23. Filipo Daugunu (20 Tests) – #931; Wests Bulldogs
*denotes Test debut
Wallabies 31 defeated by Ireland 33 on Saturday July 4 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies vs France, 5:30pm AEST on Saturday July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies vs Italy, 6:00pm AWST on Saturday July 18 at HBF Park, Perth
Wallabies vs Japan, Saturday August 8 at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashi-Osaka
Wallabies vs Japan, 3:00pm AEST on Saturday August 15 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies vs Argentina 5:00am AEST on Sunday August 30 at Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy
Wallabies vs Argentina, 5:00am AEST on Sunday September 6 at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Wallabies vs South Africa, 5:30pm AWST on Sunday September 27 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3:10pm AEST on Saturday October 10 at Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies vs New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST on Saturday October 17 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies vs England, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 9 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London
Wallabies vs Scotland, 2:10am AEDT on Monday November 16 at Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wallabies vs Wales, 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 22, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Nations Championships Finals Weekend, Weekend starting November 27
