Debutant Meredith starts at fly-half as injury-hit Wallabies face France in sold-out Brisbane Test

Declan Meredith will make his Test debut at fly-half for Australia against Six Nations champions France at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, after the Wallabies lost both Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson to injury in the same week. The Nations Championship fixture has sold out, marking a second consecutive full house for the Australians.

The call-up comes just days after Australia’s 33-31 defeat to world number three Ireland in Sydney, a match the Wallabies led comfortably before ill-discipline allowed Ireland to take the lead with under three minutes remaining. Dylan Pietsch and Jock Campbell scored early tries to give Australia a strong first-half platform, but the visitors fought back to snatch the win.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson acknowledged the disruption caused by the injury crisis but expressed confidence in the uncapped Meredith. “It’s never ideal to lose two of your three 10s in one week,” Wilson told reporters outside Suncorp Stadium. “For us, we knew at the start of the week that Carter was no good so it gave Declan a full week to prepare and know that he’s playing, and he’s been really good. None of us really knew Declan before he came in here and he’s been a really good, loud voice and he’s really grabbed it this week and I’m really excited for him.”

Queensland Reds fullback Jock Campbell will provide fly-half cover from the bench, while Reds utility Filipo Daugunu has been recalled to the replacements after missing last week’s squad. Tate McDermott is the other backline player named among the substitutes.

Wilson, who plays his club rugby for the Reds and attended school in Brisbane, is also counting on the home crowd to lift the side — particularly after Queensland Maroons supporters endured a painful 30-12 State of Origin series-decider defeat to New South Wales on Wednesday, a match in which Nathan Cleary claimed the Wally Lewis Medal. More than 52,000 fans attended that fixture at the same venue.

“I think there’ll be a few supporters coming on Saturday who need a win after Wednesday night,” Wilson said. “I know Queenslanders, how vocal they are in supporting, and I think it’s going to be no different tomorrow night.”