2025 John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau will return to the Wallaby gold against Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday night (local time).
The 27-year-old will reignite his partnership with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the centres, the pair featuring alongside each other in the midfield for 12 of the Wallabies last 16 Tests.
Flyhalf James O’Connor will start in the number 10 jersey for his first Test in the northern hemisphere since 2021, linking up with NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon who is again selected at scrumhalf.
21-year-old fullback Max Jorgensen and winger Filipo Daugunu have also been selected to start in Dublin, joining Harry Potter in the back three.
The experienced Allan Alaalatoa is another who returns to the starting XV, where he will combine with hooker Matt Faessler and Angus Bell in the run on front row.
In another reshuffle in the forwards Tom Hooper shifts to lock with Rob Valetini starting at blindside flanker. Hooper will partner Jeremy Williams in the second row, while openside flanker Fraser McReight and skipper Harry Wilson complete the loose forward trio.
Dubbo junior Tom Robertson has been selected as the substitute loosehead prop, with Billy Pollard and Zane Nonggorr the other replacement front rowers.
Lock Nick Frost shifts to an impact role off the bench, with Perth’s Carlo Tizzano selected as the cover for the back row.
Ryan Lonergan will continue to earn international experience as the substitute scrumhalf, as will Tane Edmed who returns to the venue of his Test debut last year as the replacement playmaker. The versatile Andrew Kellaway will wear the number 23 jersey and cover multiple positions across the backline.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s been a tough schedule but we’ve tried to embrace that this week and tried to freshen up at the same time.”
“It’s another opportunity this Saturday to really challenge ourselves against one of the top teams in the world.”
1. Angus Bell (48 Tests) - #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
2. Matt Faessler (16 Tests) - #969; USQ Saints
3. Allan Alaalatoa (86 Tests) - #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Jeremy Williams (23 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
5. Tom Hooper (20 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
6. Rob Valetini (60 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (37 Tests) - #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (34 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Jake Gordon (35 Tests) - #925; Canterbury Juniors
10. James O’Connor (70 Tests) - #832; St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
11. Harry Potter (9 Tests) - #989; Moorabbin Rams
12. Len Ikitau (48 Tests) - #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (16 Tests) - #988; The Kings School
14. Filipo Daugunu (18 Tests) - #931; Wests Bulldogs
15. Max Jorgensen (18 Tests) - #984; Balmain Wolves
Substitutes
16. Billy Pollard (19 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby
17. Tom Robertson (38 Tests) - #898; Dubbo Kangaroos
18. Zane Nonggorr (18 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles
19. Nick Frost (36 Tests) - #953; Hornsby Lions
20. Carlo Tizzano (12 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia
21. Ryan Lonergan (4 Tests) - #933; Tuggeranong Vikings
22. Tane Edmed (7 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors
23. Andrew Kellaway (48 Tests) - #943; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
Wallabies 21 defeated Fiji 18 on Sunday July 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Wallabies 19 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 27 on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies 26 defeated by the British & Irish Lions 29 on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies 22 defeated the British & Irish Lions 12 on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 38 defeated South Africa 22 on Saturday August 16 at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Wallabies 22 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 23 at DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Wallabies 28 defeated Argentina 24 on Saturday September 6 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Wallabies 26 defeated by Argentina 28 on Saturday September 13 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies 24 defeated by New Zealand 33 on Saturday September 27, Eden Park, Auckland
Wallabies 14 defeated by New Zealand 28 on Saturday October 4 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies 19 defeated Japan 15 on Saturday October 25 at National Stadium, Tokyo
Wallabies 7 defeated by England 25 on Saturday November 1 at Allianz Stadium, London
Wallabies 19 defeated by Italy 26 on Saturday November 8 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
Wallabies v Ireland at 7:10am AEDT on Sunday November 16 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wallabies v France at 7:10am on Sunday November 23 at Stade de France, Paris
