Israel Folau to make Wallabies debut

Israel Folau1
Israel Folau

 

Former rugby league international Israel Folau is one of three debutants named in Australia’s starting XV to face the British and Irish Lions at Lang Park on Saturday night.

Folau, playing his first season of professional rugby union following an unsuccessful stint in the AFL, has been named to make his Wallabies debut on the wing in the first Test.

He will be joined by Brumbies pair Ben Mowen and Christian Lealiifano, who will earn their first caps at blindside flanker and inside centre respectively.

Mowen will form part of the back row that also includes number eight Wycliff Palu and openside flanker Michael Hooper.

Captain James Horwill will be partnered in the second row by Kane Douglas, who beat Rob Simmons for one of the starting lock roles.

James O’Connor was named at fly half to partner Will Genia, while Berrick Barnes will play at full-back with Kurtley Beale named on the reserves bench.

Wallabies squad:

Berrick Barnes, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Digby Ioane, James O’Connor, Will Genia, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen, James Horwill (c), Kane Douglas, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson

Reserves: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Kurtley Beale

 

-ABC

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