Get Newsletter

Houston in line for Australia debut

Houston, who plays his club rugby for English Premiership side Bath, secured his place on the bench after Australia coach Michael Cheika opted for a 6-2 split between forwards and backs.  

ADVERTISEMENT

The 29-year-old's inclusion means Sefa Naivalu has been omitted from the extended bench named on Thursday, with prop Tom Robertson switching to loosehead prop at the expense of veteran James Slipper.

Houston, playing for southwest side Bath after the Queensland Reds allowed him to join on a medical loan, is in line to become the 901st Wallaby and Australia's 11th debutant of 2016.

If Houston does get on the field at Twickenham, it will end a long wait for international recognition, with the loose forward first named in the Wallaby squad for the 2005 tour of Europe by then-coach Eddie Jones.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Bernard Foley, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Lopeti Timani, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Leroy Houston, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Tevita Kuridrani.

Date: Saturday, October 8

Venue: Twickenham, England

Kick-off: 18.30 (15.30 Argentinean time; 05.30 AEDT, Sunday, October 9)

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Matthew Carley (England)

TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)

Agence France-Presse

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 32 | How To Win Europe

Round 12 Highlights | PWR 2024/25

Bristol Bears vs Gloucester-Hartpury | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Kobelco Kobe Steelers | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match

Edinburgh vs Brython | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

Write A Comment