Wallabies squad announced for Nations Championship Tests with veteran return and uncapped debuts
Consensus Summary
The Wallabies have announced a 37-man squad for the inaugural Nations Championship Tests, featuring a historic recall of veteran prop James Slipper, who retired in November 2025 but is now set to potentially surpass Sam Whitelock as rugby’s second most-capped player. Three uncapped players—Declan Meredith, Lachlan Shaw, and Miles Amatosero—will make their debuts, with Meredith and Shaw from the Brumbies and Amatosero from the Waratahs. The squad includes returning players like Jock Campbell, Charlie Cale, and Angus Bell, while injuries have sidelined key names such as Jake Gordon and Will Skelton. The Wallabies will face Ireland in Sydney on July 4, France in Brisbane on July 11, and Italy in Perth on July 18, with coach Joe Schmidt emphasizing the squad’s ability to compete against top-tier European teams. The squad will assemble in Sydney on June 26, 2026, ahead of these matches, which mark Schmidt’s final Tests before handing over to Les Kiss.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- James Slipper (37) has been recalled from retirement for the Wallabies squad after an SOS from coach Joe Schmidt, potentially surpassing Sam Whitelock as rugby’s second most-capped player.
- The Wallabies squad includes uncapped trio Declan Meredith (29), Lachlan Shaw (23), and Miles Amatosero (24) for the Nations Championship Tests.
- The squad will assemble in Sydney on Wednesday, June 26, 2026, for three Tests: Ireland on July 4 in Sydney, France on July 11 in Brisbane, and Italy on July 18 in Perth.
- Declan Meredith, 29, grew up in Cairns and played junior rugby for Barron Trinity Bulls before moving to Canberra and earning selection via strong Brumbies flyhalf performances.
- Lachlan Shaw, 23, stands 200cm tall and progressed through Brisbane juniors before becoming a mainstay in the Brumbies’ second row and lineout in 2026.
- Miles Amatosero, 24, began his career at South Coogee juniors, spent three years at Clermont Auvergne in France, and returned to Sydney ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
- The squad consists of 20 forwards and 17 backs, including veterans like Angus Bell (returning after a sabbatical with Ulster) and returning players Jock Campbell, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, and Tom Wright.
- Joe Schmidt stated that the squad was selected after months of discussions and includes players who can perform well against top-tier European teams in the Nations Championship.
- Injured players excluded from the squad include Jake Gordon, Zac Lomax, and Will Skelton.
- The Wallabies will compete in the Nations Championship for the first time, with Schmidt handing over coaching duties to Les Kiss after these Tests.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The squad list includes forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Miles Amatosero, Angus Bell, Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lachlan Shaw, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.
- The squad list includes backs: Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook, Carter Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Corey Toole, Tom Wright.
- Includes a reference to James Slipper walking off the field in Perth in what was thought to be his final game for the Wallabies, accompanied by a Getty Images credit (Cameron Spencer).
- Includes a reference to Declan Meredith’s photo credit from Getty Images (Mark Nolan) and Miles Amatosero’s photo credit from Getty Images (Mark Nolan).
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources.
Source Articles
James Slipper answers SOS for coach Joe Schmidt’s last three Wallabies Tests
Veteran prop out of retirement for Nations Championship Tests Three uncapped players in line for potential debuts against Ireland Veteran prop James Slipper and uncapped trio Declan Meredith, Lachlan Shaw and Miles Amatosero have all been included in the Wallabies squad for next month’s Nations Championship Tests in Australia. After retiring last November, 37-year-old Slipper could surpass All Blacks great Sam Whitelock as rugby’s second most-capped player in history after answering an SOS call
Veteran comes out of retirement for Wallabies, uncapped trio named
James Slipper comes out of retirement and three uncapped players are named for the Wallabies ahead of the Nations Championship Tests.