Four rookies in Wallaby squad

Australian coach Ewen McKenzie named four uncapped players in a 32-man squad for next month's three-Test series against France.

They included Western Force hooker Nathan Charles and three locks – the Brumbies' Sam Carter, Rebels' Luke Jones and Will Skelton of the Waratahs.

The uncapped locks have been called up following the loss of Ireland-bound Kane Douglas, France-based Sitaleki Timani and Rebels' Hugh Pyle to overseas clubs.

"We've made a decision that we need to look forward and we've made an investment in guys that are going to be around [in Australia],"McKenzie said.

Waratahs pair Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley were named as flyhalves in the absence of Quade Cooper, who is out for at least four months with a shoulder injury.

The Brumbies' regular No.10 Matt Toomua won a place as a centre.

McKenzie said he would not name a replacement for France-bound Ben Mowen as skipper until the Wallabies go into training camp on June 1.

"In the group there's a lot of versatility, particularly in the backs where there are a lot of players who can play in more than one position," he said.

"We have deliberately nominated positions for players, but that doesn't mean we are limited to that and when we get into camp we'll work it out as we go along."

Among notable players to miss selection were prop Benn Robinson, flank Dave Dennis and fullback Jesse Mogg.

McKenzie said it was a case of picking up where the Wallabies left off on last November's tour of Europe, rather than starting again.

Australia beat Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales after losing their opening tour Test against England.

"The challenge for this group now is to build on our four most recent wins on the European Tour and ensure we continue to develop a winning culture," he said.

"The last time an Australian team won five straight games was in 2008. That's a six-year hoodoo we need to break and it will be our immediate short-term team goal."

The Waratahs have the most representatives with 11 ahead of the Brumbies (10), Western Force (five), Reds (four) and Rebels (two).

Australia play France in three Tests beginning in Brisbane on June 7, followed by Melbourne (June 14) and Sydney (June 21).

The group will assemble at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast on Sunday, June 1.

In total the squad boasts 831 games of Test experience, has an average age of just under 26-years-old.

A number of Test representatives who missed squad selection in 2013 – either through injury or non-selection – have also earned a re-call.

This include prop Pek Cowan and back row forwards Scott Higginbotham and Matt Hodgson.

For Hodgson and Cowan, their selection presents an opportunity to re-ignite their international careers after the pair played their last capped Test for Australia at the 2011 World Cup semifinal against South Africa in Sydney.

"It's pleasing to see the quality and depth we have coming through the Australian ranks at the moment and I'm confident the squad we've chosen can deliver the outcomes we are looking for throughout the June series," McKenzie said.

"We're beginning to create a strong and competitive selection environment, which unfortunately means that some quality players will miss out.

"We're also looking for players to contribute as much to the cultural piece off the field as they do with their performance on it.

"We don't hide from the fact that we want to have the best program possible and to do that you need to have not just the best players but the best people.

"We are in the business of inspiration. Winning is not enough and it's important that our journey captures the hearts and minds of the Australian public along the way.

"That's the responsibility of each individual in the squad and we're really looking forward to the opportunity to positively influence the Rugby landscape in Australia in June and throughout the rest of the year."

McKenzie has also invited an additional four players to train with the Wallabies squad in the lead-up to their opening Test – wings Henry Speight and Tom English, prop Paddy Ryan and lock Cadeyrn Neville.

Speight will not be available for selection during the French series, but will be eligible to represent the Wallabies from September 11.

McKenzie said: "The reality is we have more players performing well than we have space in our squad, so it's important for the coaching staff that we have an opportunity to learn more about some of the players who haven't had as much recent exposure to the national program.

"By adding four additional players to the group for the opening week we'll get to learn more about some guys, while they get to experience a different environment and test themselves at the elite level."

Players who have not been considered for selection due to injury include flank David Pocock (knee), flyhalf Quade Cooper (shoulder), centre Kyle Godwin (knee), scrumhalf Luke Burgess (knee), and outside backs Joe Tomane (cheekbone), Chris Feauai-Sautia (hamstring) and Peter Betham (ankle).

Australian squad:

Props: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Pek Cowan (Western Force), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds).

Hookers: Nathan Charles (Western Force), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs).

Locks: Sam Carter (Brumbies), James Horwill (Reds), Luke Jones (Rebels), Rob Simmons (Reds), Will Skelton (Waratahs).

Back row forwards: Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs).

Scrumhalves: Will Genia (Reds), Nick Phipps (Waratahs), Nic White (Brumbies).

Flyhalves: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs).

Centres: Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Matt Toomua (Brumbies).

Back three: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Nick Cummins (Western Force), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Pat McCabe (Brumbies).