Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has handed Jock Campbell his Test comeback, naming the Reds star at fullback to face Ireland on Saturday in Sydney.
Campbell’s elevation to fullback is one of several changes, including a potential debutant for ACT Brumbies lock Lachlan Shaw.
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The 31-year-old will break a 1,316-day drought between Test matches, last pulling on the gold jersey against Wales in 2022, seeing Max Jorgensen shift back to wing alongside Dylan Pietsch.
As for Shaw, he’s set to be Wallabies #996, capping off a breakout season that saw him dominate the set-piece game for the Brumbies.
“The group has reconnected quickly and we’ve worked hard over the past week to prepare as best we can for what is an exciting challenge against the number three team in World Rugby," Schmidt said in a statement.
“Kicking off 2026 at a sold-out Allianz Stadium gives the group a huge lift and we are fully focused on earning every bit of that home crowd support on Saturday.”
Schmidt has opted for a new halves partnership, with Brumbies skipper Ryan Lonergan linking up with Carter Gordon.
Gordon returned to the gold jersey against Italy last year, while it’s Lonergan’s first start in gold after being named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year.
In the forwards, Queensland Reds duo Josh Nasser and Josh Canham are the new faces in the tight-five.
Nasser partners with the returning Angus Bell, fresh from a stint with URC side Ulster, and Allan Alaalatoa.
Meanwhile, Canham will make his debut start for the Wallabies alongside Jeremy Williams, adding to his two caps.
Reds teammate Harry Wilson retains the captaincy in a settled back row with Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini.
In the replacements, Shaw is joined by Brumbies teammate James Slipper, who completes his unretirement after initially farewelling the game following last year’s Bledisloe Cup.
Overseas duo Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou have also been named, with Tate McDermott and Tom Wright to make their injury returns off the bench following their long stints out of the gold jersey.
Force duo Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Ben Donaldson round out the team, back after missing the Spring Tour.
1. Angus Bell (50 Tests) - #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club
2. Josh Nasser (11 Tests) - #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (88 Tests) - #896; West Harbour Juniors
4. Jeremy Williams (25 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers
5. Josh Canham (2 Tests) - #987; Harlequin Rugby Club
6. Rob Valetini (62 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (39 Tests) - #937; Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (36 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Ryan Lonergan (5 Tests) - #993; Tuggeranong Vikings
10. Carter Gordon (9 Tests) - #967; Sunshine Coast Grammar School
11. Dylan Pietsch (9 Tests) - #978; Leeton Phantoms
12. Len Ikitau (50 Tests) - #944; Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (18 Tests) - #988; The Kings School
14. Max Jorgensen (20 Tests) - #984; Balmain Wolves
15. Jock Campbell (4 Tests) - #959; Inverell Highlanders
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (25 Tests) - #918; Southern Districts
17. James Slipper (151 Tests) - #843; Bond Pirates
18. Taniela Tupou (68 Tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby
19. Lachlan Shaw* - uncapped; Ipswich Rangers
20. Tom Hooper (22 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs
21. Tate McDermott (50 Tests) - #936; Flinders Rugby Club
22. Ben Donaldson (19 Tests) - #962; Clovelly Eagles
23. Tom Wright (43 Tests) - #939; Clovelly Eagles
