Three uncapped players named as Wallabies open 2026 Nations Championship campaign

Joe Schmidt has named three uncapped players in Australia’s 37-man squad for the 2026 Nations Championship, with matches against Ireland, France and Italy marking the Wallabies’ first appearance in the new competition.

ACT Brumbies playmaker Declan Meredith headlines the potential debutants after a standout Super Rugby Pacific season, starting 14 of 15 matches for the Brumbies. Brumbies teammate Lachlan Shaw, 23, is also uncapped at Test level despite representing Australia Under-20s in 2023 and becoming a regular starter for the capital side, including a two-try performance against the Waratahs in round seven. The third newcomer is NSW Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero, who returned to Sydney after a spell in France with Clermont Auvergne and has since established himself across three seasons with the Tahs.

At fly-half, Meredith competes for selection with Queensland Reds pivot Carter Gordon and Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson.

Several experienced names also feature prominently. Prop James Slipper, Australia’s all-time caps record-holder, has been recalled after stepping away from international duty last year. Reds fullback Jock Campbell returns to the squad for the first time since 2022, while Brumbies backrower Charlie Cale is back after missing last season through injury. Halfback Tate McDermott and back-three player Tom Wright were both selected despite injury-interrupted Super Rugby Pacific campaigns.

Notably absent is Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who misses out with Shaw and Amatosero preferred in the second row. Reds enforcer Josh Canham and Western Force captain Jeremy Williams were both included, along with utility forward Tom Hooper.

“There have been ongoing discussions amongst the coaches for a number of months and, as always, there are some very good players who have not been selected for this first international window,” Schmidt said. “We’ve settled on a group that we think will work hard and can perform well against three top-tier European teams with the added excitement of competing in the new Nations Championship for the first time.”