Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a rotated team to take on Italy in Udine on Saturday, with Carter Gordon named to start at five-eighth, 17 months after last playing for the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup.
The Wallabies have made six changes to their match-day squad after their 18-point defeat against England last Saturday in Twickenham.
Despite joining the squad in Udine, there is no place for Len Ikitau, who is likely to play against France and Ireland, his Exeter clubmate Tom Hooper comes straight to the starting lineup at blindside breakaway, replacing Rob Valetini who starts on the bench.
Former Bordeaux breakaway Pete Samu is named as a replacement where he should make his first Wallabies appearance in two years, after last playing against South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
Italy are ranked 10th in the world, beating Wales in the last two Six Nations and coming within five points of beating Ireland last March.
World Rugby stats showed that star winger Max Jorgensen carried the ball once for two metres against England, highlighting the need for the Wallabies to find more attacking opportunities against a strong Italian backline that will include Louis Lynagh, son of Wallabies legend Michael.
Carter Gordon will make his Wallabies return against Italy.Credit: Getty Images for ARU
Jorgensen is rested with Schmidt recalling Corey Toole who will play alongside fullback Andrew Kellaway and Harry Potter, who retain their spots.
Hunter Paisami and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii play in the centres together for the second successive week.
Hooker Matt Faessler gets his first start of the Spring tour, having last played for the Wallabies in the first Test defeat against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. He will back down with props Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou who are retained from the England defeat.
Former All Black Aidan Ross will get an opportunity to win his second Wallabies cap from the bench, where he will be joined by Zane Nonggorr.
More to come
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