Seven Brumbies players have been selected in the Australia A squad to prepare to play a Japan XV squad in Osaka next weekend.
Young front rowers Lington Ieli, Liam Bowron and Tevita Alatini are included for the first time, a reward for their excellent form across Super Rugby AUS. In fact, it is Bowron and Alatini's first inclusion in a national XV's program.
Prop Rhys van Nek, flankers Luke Reimer and Rory Scott and outside back Ollie Sapsford are named again, after touring England with Australia A last year.
A total of ten Wallabies have been named in the group, which is made up of 16 forwards and ten backs for the match which will be held at Yodoko Sakura Stadium.
The side will be led by Simon Cron, who will be supported by newly appointed Western Force assistant Brad Harris and Junior Wallabies coach Chris Whitaker.
Australia A coach Simon Cron said: “Following the success of the Super Rugby AUS competition, this match is another great opportunity for Australian players to test themselves against high-quality opposition.”
“To have ten Wallabies in the group shows the depth in Australian Rugby, while there’s some young men here who will be keen to challenge themselves for the first time on the international stage.”
Australia XV squad (Super Rugby Pacific Club, First Australian Rugby club)
Forwards (16)
Tevita Alatini (ACT Brumbies – Penrith RSL Silverbacks)
Dan Botha (NSW Waratahs – Mosman Juniors)
Liam Bowron (ACT Brumbies – Marist College Canberra)
Joe Brial (Queensland Reds - Easts (Sydney))
Josh Canham (Queensland Reds - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Ethan Dobbins (NSW Waratahs – Wests Bulldogs)
Matt Faessler (Queensland Reds – USQ Saints)
Isaac Kailea (NSW Waratahs – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Lington Ieli (ACT Brumbies – Brisbane Boys’ College)
Matt Philip (NSW Waratahs – Newport Juniors)
Luke Reimer (ACT Brumbies - Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
Pete Samu (NSW Waratahs – Moorabbin Rams)
Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies - Canberra Royals)
Darcy Swain (Western Force - Tuggeranong Vikings)
Seru Uru (Queensland Reds – Wests Bulldogs)
Rhys van Nek (ACT Brumbies - Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
Backs (10)
Ben Donaldson (Western Force – Clovelly Eagles)
Mac Grealy (Western Force – Souths Kookaburras Toowoomba)
Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs – Narrabri Blue Boars)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Queensland Reds – Gunnedah Red Devils)
Henry Robertson (Western Force – Scone Brumbies)
Tim Ryan (Queensland Reds – Brothers Rugby)
Ollie Sapsford (ACT Brumbies - Uni-Norths Owls)
Hamish Stewart (Western Force - Toowoomba Bears)
Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs - Warnervale Wildcats)
Teddy Wilson (NSW Waratahs – Easts Rugby (Sydney))
