The Wallabies squad to face the British and Irish Lions has lastly been introduced.
Coach Joe Schmidt unveiled his 36-man squad in Brisbane on Friday afternoon, eight days out from the primary Take a look at at Suncorp Stadium.
Earlier within the week, there had been some late drama for Australia, after first-choice playmaker Noah Lolesio was dominated out of the sequence after present process neck surgical procedure. That was a merciless blow for each participant and staff, although it has opened up a chance for veteran James O’Connor
Try our player-by-player Wallabies information under!.
– British & Irish Lions fixtures for Australia tour
PROPS
Allan Alaalatoa, Brumbies
BIO: A veteran of the Wallabies’ front-row, Alaalatoa is a dominant scrummager at tighthead and decided ball-carrier. He has additionally beforehand captained the Wallabies underneath each Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones.
TEST CAPS: 80
Angus Bell, NSW Waratahs
BIO: Bell has quick grow to be a key determine for the Wallabies, together with his scrummaging enhancing yr on yr within the Take a look at area. However it’s with ball in hand the place he’s most devastating, his footwork, fend and leg drive combining to make him a troublesome proposition for defensive strains.
TEST CAPS: 36
Zane Nonggorr, Queensland Reds
BIO: As soon as dubbed “Child Thor” in reference to Taniela Tupou, aka the “Tongan Thor”, Nonggorr could be very a lot nonetheless within the infancy of his Take a look at profession having first debuted in 2023. However he’s on an upward trajectory and this sequence will present an important growth alternative if and when he will get on the sphere.
TEST CAPS: 10
Tom Robertson, Western Pressure
BIO: Robertson is again in Wallabies reckoning this yr after a effective Tremendous Rugby season with Western Pressure. Able to enjoying on each side of the scrum, his versatility make him a robust bench possibility, whereas he’s a seasoned campaigner having made his Take a look at debut means again in 2016.
TEST CAPS: 31
James Slipper, ACT Brumbies
BIO: Essentially the most capped Wallaby of all time, Slipper is a revered determine in Australian rugby. The front-rower debuted again in 2010 and 14 years later he surpassed George Gregan’s mark of 139 Take a look at appearances. Adept at both loosehead or tighthead prop, Slipper’s versatility and expertise are enormous belongings for Australia.
TEST CAPS: 143
Taniela Tupou, NSW Waratahs
BIO: As soon as upon a time, Tupou was one of the feared props within the recreation. However he hasn’t been the identical participant since consecutive Achilles and calf accidents in 2022 and 2023. He has additionally come underneath seemingly better focus from referees at scrum time, whether or not that’s honest or unfair is up for debate.
TEST CAPS: 58
HOOKERS
Matt Faessler, Queensland Reds
BIO: Faessler burst onto the scene in 2023, incomes himself an unlikely Rugby World Cup spot underneath Eddie Jones. He then kicked on in 2024, establishing himself because the Wallabies first-choice rake. Accidents restricted his Tremendous Rugby season in 2025, however he’s again to full health and able to tackle the Lions
TEST CAPS: 14
Billy Pollard, ACT Brumbies
BIO: As soon as the goal of NRL golf equipment, Pollard has dedicated his future to Australian rugby by way of 2027. A dynamic ball-carrier, Pollard is working laborious to refine his set-piece expertise, lineout specifically, however this season loved a serene passage in the back of the Brumbies’ maul.
TEST CAPS:6
David Porecki, NSW Waratahs
BIO: One of many Wallabies captains in a dire 2023 World Cup marketing campaign, Porecki didn’t lace a boot in 2024 as he battled by way of a hard Achilles damage. However he was again on the paddock for the Waratahs in Tremendous Rugby this yr when he strengthened his set-piece high quality. Porecki did undergo a head knock in opposition to Fiji, however must be proper to go for the primary Take a look at if required.
TEST CAPS: 19
LOCKS
Josh Canham, Queensland Reds
BIO: Melbourne-raised Canham packed his luggage and headed north to Ballymore after the demise of the Rebels, the Victorian cementing himself amongst a gifted group of locks on the Reds. Whereas his set-piece nonetheless wants work, Canham is an athletic lock with a superb flip of velocity and big upside.
TEST CAPS: 1
Nick Frost, ACT Brumbies
BIO: Frost continues to develop at Take a look at stage, his lineout work now matching his athletic potential across the paddock. Frost made the decision to go to the Crusaders out of college, earlier than heading dwelling to Australia to affix the Brumbies — each these choices paying dividends as he now sits as one of many Wallabies’ premier locks.
TEST CAPS: 25
Tom Hooper, ACT Brumbies
BIO: Hooper will quickly head of Exeter, which means his Take a look at profession might be halted on the finish of the Lions sequence. However he actually deserves his place within the squad, having had an impressive 2025 Tremendous Rugby season with the Brumbies. A tireless second-rower, who may cowl the back-row, there’s nothing flashy about Hooper — however he actually is efficient.
TEST CAPS: 10
Will Skelton, La Rochelle
BIO: The Wallabies’ 2023 World Cup captain, Skelton once more finds himself again within the combine underneath Schmidt. A calf damage dominated him out of the Take a look at in opposition to Fiji, however he now seems able to play. At his greatest, he is among the greatest locks on the planet, his large body and talent to disrupt opposition mauls making him a worthwhile proposition.
TEST CAPS: 32
Jeremy Williams, Western Pressure
BIO: Williams is an rising star in Australian rugby, having stepped as much as the Take a look at area in 2024. The Pressure skipper is a sturdy and hard-working lock, who’s restart and lineout proficiency have made him a favorite of Schmidt’s. At simply 24 years of age, he has a protracted Take a look at profession in entrance of him.
TEST CAPS: 10
BACK-ROWERS
Nick Champion de Crespigny, Western Pressure
BIO: Champion de Crespigny has needed to take the lengthy highway to earn his Wallabies call-up, however it’s nothing lower than his debut Tremendous Rugby season deserved. The Pressure ahead needed to go to France to get his skilled begin, however hasn’t appeared again since. He brings a uncooked, bodily edge that’s in brief provide for the Wallabies.
TEST CAPS: Uncapped
Langi Gleeson, NSW Waratahs
BIO: Advised he was not needed at Wallabies camp at the beginning of the yr attributable to an impending transfer abroad, Gleeson’s kind in the course of the Tremendous Rugby Pacific demanded choice. The Waratahs No. 8 was excellent all season, rising with the Matt Burke Cup because the staff’s greatest participant. Whereas he’ll quickly be on the outer at Take a look at stage, Gleeson has a key position to play in opposition to the Lions, significantly as a flexible bench possibility.
TEST CAPS: 14
Fraser McReight, Queensland Reds
BIO: One of many Wallabies’ greatest in recent times, McReight is on the best way to being a world-class No. 7. Having assumed the openside place from Michael Hooper, McReight’s on-ball potential, help play and work charge are up there with the perfect within the recreation. If the Wallabies are to fret the Lions, McReight will must be a relentless risk on the breakdown.
TEST CAPS: 25
Carlo Tizzano, Western Pressure
BIO: Tizzano has come of age in recent times, having returned dwelling to Perth the place his rugby profession first started. The dynamic on-baller could not have the velocity of McReight, however he’s equally adept on the breakdown and this yr had an actual knack of discovering the tryline. Tizzano was a standout for the Wallabies defensively in final yr’s Rugby Championship.
TEST CAPS: 5
Rob Valetini, ACT Brumbies
BIO: The 2-time reigning John Eales Medallist, Valetini has grown right into a world-class back-rower for the Wallabies. The Brumbies star seldom has a nasty recreation, his energy carries and bruising defence incomes him respect and reward in equal measure amongst his teammates and the Australian rugby cohort at massive. Valetini will get the Wallabies on the entrance foot, whereas he additionally boasts an underrated broader ability set.
TEST CAPS: 52
Harry Wilson, Queensland Reds
BIO: Firstly of final yr, Wilson was nonetheless scrapping for a spot within the run-on facet. However by the top of the Rugby Championship he was the Wallabies captain and a key fixture of Schmidt’s planning. Wilson is a dynamic ball-carrier who can produce some unbelievable offloads, whereas the large enhancements in his recreation have come on the defensive facet of the ball. He led from the entrance in opposition to Fiji in Newcastle, scoring the match-winner within the 79th minute.
TEST CAPS: 22
SCRUM-HALVES
Jake Gordon, NSW Waratahs
BIO: Gordon established himself as Schmidt’s first-choice in 2024, which might in the end led to him re-signing with Australian rugby when a transfer abroad beckoned. The Waratahs skipper has the perfect field kick in Australian rugby, an assured cross, and is an excellent help participant. He does nevertheless enter the Lions sequence underneath an damage cloud after a troublesome Tremendous Rugby season.
TEST CAPS: 29
Tate McDermott, Queensland Reds
BIO: Few gamers are as harmful as McDermott across the ruck, significantly when his staff are going ahead. The Queensland skipper is blessed with fantastic footwork and might make gamers twice his dimension look silly. He can inject actual vitality off the bench, however will push laborious for a begin in opposition to the Lions after carrying the No. 9 jersey in opposition to Fiji. He has additionally beforehand captained the Wallabies.
TEST CAPS: 41
Nic White, Western Pressure
BIO: The veteran of the Australian backline contingent, White stays as tenacious as ever. His core expertise stay sturdy, whereas he’s by no means in need of a phrase both. White could be very a lot the third-string No. 9 possibility for Schmidt, however he provides a wealth of expertise from his lengthy Take a look at profession.
TEST CAPS: 71
FLY-HALVES
Ben Donaldson, Western Pressure
BIO: Donaldson has been in and across the Wallabies setup for a number of years now, however he seems set to play a number one position in opposition to the Lions after Noah Lolesio’s neck damage. Donaldson possesses a superb all-round recreation, however questions stay round his potential to deal with the stress of Take a look at rugby.
TEST CAPS: 16
Tom Lynagh, Queensland Reds
BIO: The son of Wallabies nice Michael, Lynagh is just simply beginning out on his worldwide profession. He has put collectively three strong Tremendous Rugby seasons for the Reds, however has had his points with head knocks. The teenager performs above his diminutive body nevertheless, and is a dependable goal-kicker.
TEST CAPS: 3
James O’Connor, Crusaders
BIO: Considered one of solely two Wallabies survivors from the final Lions tour, O’Connor has accomplished a tremendous return to the Take a look at area after spending the 2025 Tremendous Rugby season with the Crusaders. An damage to Noah Lolesio opened the door for O’Connor to earn a recall, and he’ll add some worthwhile expertise to a inexperienced Wallabies fly-half group.
TEST CAPS: 64
CENTRES
Len Ikitau, ACT Brumbies
BIO: Ikitau has established himself as one of many world’s greatest outdoors centres, although he has shuffled in a single spot nearer to No. 12 for the reason that arrival of Josep-Aukuso Suaalii. A dominant defender, who possesses a beautiful fend and footwork, Ikitau has grow to be a mainstay of the Wallabies’ midfield.
TEST CAPS: 39
Hunter Paisami, Queensland Reds
BIO: Paisami first emerged on the Wallabies scene underneath Dave Rennie, however has now kicked on underneath Joe Schmidt. He will not be the first-choice No. 12 for this sequence, however he has proven beforehand he can do a job in midfield, significantly on the defensive facet of the ball.
TEST CAPS: 31
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, NSW Waratahs
BIO: Australia’s $5.4m greenback man, Suaalii created headlines the world over together with his man-of-the-match efficiency in his first recreation {of professional} rugby. The previous Sydney Roosters star has up to now lived as much as the hype, whereas he has dreamed about going through the Lions since 2013. A powerhouse on each side of the ball, he has an enormous position to play for the Wallabies this sequence.
TEST CAPS: 4
OUTSIDE BACKS
Filipo Daugunu, Queensland Reds
BIO: Able to enjoying on the wing or at outdoors centre, Daugunu possesses fantastic footwork and can also be a bodily defender. The Fijian-born flyer returned to the Reds after a stint with the now-defunct Melbourne Rebels, and appeared proper at dwelling underneath Les Kiss.
TEST CAPS: 11
Max Jorgensen, NSW Waratahs
BIO: Jorgensen has has a irritating begin to his Take a look at profession, however gave a glimpse of his immense expertise with some high quality finishes in Europe final yr. The teenager has superb footwork and a flip of velocity that set him aside in Australian rugby. He’s the son of former Wallaby and code-hopper Peter Jorgensen.
TEST CAPS: 7
Andrew Kellaway, NSW Waratahs
BIO: A continuing performer for the Wallabies since he made his debut in 2021, Kellaway barely places a foot improper on the wing. He’s a sound defender who makes good choices with ball in hand; he may cowl fullback and outdoors centre.
TEST CAPS: 39
Dylan Pietsch, Western Pressure
BIO: A former sevens star, Pietsch has made a profitable swap to 15s first with the Waratahs and now the Pressure. He’s a robust ball-carrier who additionally hits laborious in defence, whereas his years on the sevens circuit have honed his restart and breakdown expertise. If Pietsch can keep damage free, he will probably be an actual asset for the Wallabies.
TEST CAPS: 5
Harry Potter, Western Pressure
BIO: One other participant whose first skilled alternative got here offshore, Potter graduated to Take a look at rugby in 2024 after a effective season for the Pressure. He’s a devastating finisher who can also be harmful on the counter-attack, his swerving working fashion an actual handful for opposition defences.
TEST CAPS: 2
Tom Wright, ACT Brumbies
BIO: Wright was one of many hard-luck tales of the failed Eddie Jones period, however the Brumbies flyer used that disappointment to gasoline his return to Take a look at rugby. A superb counter-attacker, Wright could make defenders look foolish, significantly when he’s decisive. He’s additionally blessed with a fast flip of tempo and is seldom brief on confidence.
TEST CAPS: 37
