Canberra junior Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his Test debut against the British & Irish Lions on Brisbane on Saturday night.
Champion de Crespigny will wear the number six jersey in the opening match of the three Test Series, completing a remarkable rise to the gold jersey, that included a stint in the French Top 14, before returning to Australian Rugby and the Western Force ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The flanker is one of a few changes to the team that beat Fiji in Newcastle, with flyhalf Tom Lynagh named in the number 10 jersey, set to become the first player to follow in their father’s footsteps in playing against the Lions after his father Michael pulled on the same numbered gold jersey when the side toured in 1989.
The 22-year-old is joined by the experienced scrumhalf Jake Gordon, along with hooker Matt Faessler who benefitted from a hit out against the Lions for the Queensland Reds in their Tour match two weeks ago.
A Darling Downs junior, Faessler is joined by tighthead Allan Alaalatoa and Test record holder James Slipper in the run on front row, with the latter joining fellow centurion George Smith as the only Wallabies to feature for Australia in back-to-back Lions Series in the professional era.
Lock partners Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will again start in the second row, with long-time club and state teammates Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson completing the loose forward trio alongside Champion de Crespigny. Wilson will again lead the side in the number eight jersey.
The experienced Len Ikitau and 21-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will combine in the Wallabies midfield for the fifth time, while Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen will feature on the wings. Tom Wright has been named at fullback for the 14th time in the Wallabies’ last 15 Test matches.
Dubbo junior, and Western Force player of the year, Tom Robertson has been selected as the replacement tighthead prop for what will be his first Test since 2022, working alongside Billy Pollard and Angus Bell in the substitute front row.
The versatile Tom Hooper and Western Force back rower Carlo Tizzano have been named as the remaining forward cover.
No stranger to Suncorp Stadium as Queensland captain, Tate McDermott will provide spark as the replacement scrumhalf, with Ben Donaldson again selected as the substitute playmaker. The experienced Andrew Kellaway has been named in the number 23 jersey for what will be his 40th Test for his country.
Wallabies coach Joe Schimdt said: “The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what’s going to a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team.
“With the short runway leading up to such a big Test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly, from the performance we had against Fiji recently.
“We’re very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field.”
Wallabies team to play British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday July 19 at 7:45pm AEST
1. James Slipper (144 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates
2. Matt Faessler (14 Tests) – #969; USQ Saints
3. Allan Alaalatoa (81 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Nick Frost (26 Tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (11 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny* – Canberra Grammar School
7. Fraser McReight (26 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (23 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (29 Tests) – #925; Canterbury Juniors
10. Tom Lynagh (3 Tests) – #977; University of Queensland
11. Harry Potter (3 Tests) – #989; Moorabbin Rams
12. Len Ikitau (40 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (5 Tests) – #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (8 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Tom Wright (38 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (7 Tests) – #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club
17. Angus Bell (37 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
18. Tom Robertson (31 Tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club
19. Tom Hooper (11 Tests) – #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
20. Carlo Tizzano (6 Tests) – #982; University of Western Australia
21. Tate McDermott (42 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (17 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles
23. Andrew Kellaway (39 Tests) – #943; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
*denotes Test debut
The Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia 2025
Western Force 7 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 54 on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds 12 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 52 on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs 10 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 21 on Saturday 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies 24 defeated by British & Irish Lions 36 on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV 0 defeated by British & Irish Lions 48 on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney