Wallabies 'freshen things up' for France clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Prop Angus Bell and inside centre Len Ikitau will play their 50th Tests for the Wallabies on Saturday night against France in Paris.
Bell made his Wallabies debut in 2020, with the 25-year-old set to combine with hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the starting front row.
Ikitau’s first Test came in 2021 against France in Melbourne, with this year’s John Eales Medallist named to partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the midfield at State de France.
Lock Nick Frost returns to the starting side for the Wallabies’ final Test of 2025, selected alongside Jeremy Williams in a familiar run on second row. Williams and Pollard are the only two players set to feature in every match of the Wallabies campaign this year.
Frost’s return sees Bathurst’s Tom Hooper shift to blindside flanker, with openside Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson completing the run on forward pack.
Carter Gordon also returns to the starting side, named at flyhalf for his 10th Test, partnering with Jake Gordon who has been the starting scrumhalf in all five matches of this year’s Spring Tour.
Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch is the final change to the starting XV, selected on the left wing, with Harry Potter to line up on the right edge. Max Jorgensen will play fullback for the second straight week.
Queensland pair Matt Faessler and Aidan Ross join the experienced Allan Alaalatoa as the substitute front row, with Rob Valetini and Carlo Tizzano to add impact as the remaining forward cover.
Darwin-born Kalani Thomas has the potential to become Wallaby number 995, after being named as the replacement scrumhalf, with Tane Edmed selected as the substitute playmaker. Filipo Daugunu rounds out the matchday 23 and will provide versatility as the final back cover.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “We’ve tried to freshen things up during the week after what’s been a dense and challenging Tour so far.”
“The players have looked to prepare well and they’re eager to finish their season with a positive performance against one of the world’s best teams.”
Australia: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Matt Feassler, 17 Aiden Ross, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Valentini, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT; 07.10 AEDT Sunday, November 23)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
