Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named David Pocock and Scott Sio to start in the first Test of the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series.
Pocock returns to the national side for the first time since taking a sabbatical last season.
Allan Alaalatoa is in the reserves for the Irish clash, likely to feature early with the Irish likely to try test the Wallabies up front.
Alaalatoa will be covering looshead also, instead of his usual position at tighthead to accommodate for Taniela Tupou’s inclusion.
There is also a place for Brumbies recruit for 2019, Pete Samu, on the bench after he was released by the NZRU just in time to join his compatriots in camp at the start of the week.
Michael Cheika has named two debutants in his run-on XV, Queensland pair Caleb Timu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa selected to play at Number 9 and Hooker respectively.
Saturday night’s clash will cap a remarkable rise for Paenga-Amosa who was playing for Southern Districts in Sydney’s Shute Shield this time last year.
Paenga-Amosa will become Wallaby 918 when he runs out alongside experienced front-rower Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu, to bookend the scrum against the world number two side.
Timu’s journey to the Gold jersey has been a different one.
The 24-year old returned to Rugby in 2016 before suffering a serious knee injury in his first training session with the Queensland Reds.
Timu, who is set to become Wallaby 919, will partner David Pocock in the backrow in what will be his first Test since December 2016.
The Wallabies have named an otherwise settled starting fifteen that boasts 623 Test caps between them, and includes playmaking stars Will Genia, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale.
Ireland have won three of the last four meetings between the two sides but the Wallabies were victorious at their last game at Suncorp Stadium, when they prevailed 22-15 in 2010.
The Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series will be the first-ever three Test Series between the two nations as Ireland look to extend their 12-match unbeaten run.
Tickets are selling fast for the Series with the third Test at Allianz Stadium in Sydney already sold out.
For tickets, visit ticketek.com.
FOX SPORTS will showcase every match of the Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.
All matches will also be screened LIVE and free in HD on TEN and WIN Network and streaming on tenplay.com.au
