ACT Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith will become Wallaby number 997 on Saturday night after being named to start at flyhalf against France in Brisbane in the second Test of the Nations Championship.
The North Queensland product will partner club halves partner Ryan Lonergan in the 9 and No. 10 jerseys, alongside eight Brumbies selected in the Wallabies' 23-man squad. Joining Meredith and Lonergan are Brumbies stablemates Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Rob Valetini, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright and Lachlan Shaw.
Meredith earns his first Test cap after injuries to Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson forced changes to the Wallabies' playmaking stocks. His inclusion is one of only two changes to the starting XV that fell just two points short against Ireland in Sydney last week, with Wright named at fullback for Saturday's clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Max Jorgensen and Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch again start on the wings as the Wallabies prepare to recognise NAIDOC Week by wearing their First Nations jersey, featuring updated artwork acknowledging Pietsch as the 15th Indigenous Wallaby.
Ikitau will again partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in a blockbuster 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 Alaalatoa in the front row, with Canham set to link with Jeremy Williams as the starting lock pairing. Two-time John Eales Medallist, 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 Slipper and Paris-based Taniela Tupou make up a highly experienced replacement front row. Last week’s debutant Shaw retains his position as the replacement lock, playing his first Test in his hometown, while Canberra junior 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 “
