Joe Schmidt snubs overseas-based stars ahead of B&I Lions : Planet Rugby

Joe Schmidt and his coaching team have named a 36-man Wallabies squad ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series.

Two uncapped players have been included in the squad that comprises of 20 forwards and 16 backs, with Western Force back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny and ACT Brumbies winger Corey Toole selected.

Wallabies squad for B&I Lions

Meanwhile, Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki returns to the Wallabies set-up for the first time since captaining Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup while La Rochelle lock Will Skelton is the only overseas-based player selected.

Western Force lock Darcy Swain has been recalled to the national set-up while James Slipper – the most capped Wallaby- remains on track to feature in back-to-back British and Irish Lions series.

Rugby Australia have confirmed that De Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Swain and Nic White will remain with the Western Force to prepare for the Super Rugby Pacific outfit’s clash against the Lions on Saturday, July 28, before joining the Wallabies squad in Newcastle.

To compensate for their absence, Schmidt has added seven players to the wider group to prepare for the clash against Fiji on July 6.

Those players are: Tane Edmed, David Feliuai, Darby Lancaster, Ryan Lonergan, Isaac Kailea, Matt Philip and Rory Scott.

“Selection is always tight and there’ll be players who are excited and those that are disappointed,” Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt said.

“As coaches there was a lot of healthy, robust discussion and we think we’ve selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad.

“There’s some continuity from last year, plus a few new or returning players, who have forced their way into the mix through strong performances in Super Rugby Pacific.

“This squad’s immediate focus is Fiji, and we will need to hit the ground running having not been together since early January.”

Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio has also been selected despite his decision to leave Australia at the end of the season while in-form Crusaders playmaker James O’Connor has been overlooked.

Japan-based stars Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi have also been snubbed by the Wallabies coaching team.

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Wallabies squad

Forwards (20): Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson

Backs (16): Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Charlie Cale, Massimo De Lutiis and Liam Wright

Wider training squad members: Tane Edmed, David Feliuai, Darby Lancaster, Ryan Lonergan, Isaac Kailea, Matt Philip, Rory Scott

Wallabies fixtures

Sunday, July 6: Wallabies v Fiji – 1:30pm (AEST) – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Saturday, July 19: Wallabies v British & Irish Lions (7:45pm, AEST) – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Saturday, July 26: Wallabies v British & Irish Lions (7:45pm, AEST) – Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Saturday, August 2: Wallabies v British & Irish Lions (7:45pm, AEST) – Accor Stadium, Sydney

READ MORE: British and Irish Lions: Five takeaways from ‘Leinster-less’ XV to face Argentina, including England’s ‘point to prove’

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