Uncapped Meredith handed Wallabies No. 10 debut against Six Nations champions France

Declan Meredith will make his Test debut at fly-half for the Wallabies against France on Saturday, with the uncapped 27-year-old handed the No. 10 jersey from the first whistle rather than eased in from the bench. The ACT Brumbies playmaker partners club captain Ryan Lonergan in the halves.

Meredith’s selection follows a standout Super Rugby Pacific campaign that earned him a place in Australia’s Nations Championship squad alongside two other potential debutants. Brumbies lock Lachlan Shaw had already become Wallaby number 996 off the bench in last weekend’s 33-31 defeat to Ireland in Sydney; Meredith is now set to be next in line.

The immediate trigger for his promotion was a calf strain suffered by Carter Gordon, who had started against Ireland, ruling the Queenslander out of the next two Tests. Ben Donaldson was also omitted from the 23-man squad entirely.

Aside from the fly-half change, Joe Schmidt has made only one other alteration to the starting XV, with Tom Wright coming into the back three alongside Dylan Pietsch and Max Jorgensen. Jock Campbell drops to the bench, where he is expected to cover both fly-half and fullback.

The midfield remains unchanged, with John Eales Medal winner Len Ikitau continuing at inside centre alongside Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. In the forwards, Reds hooker Josh Nasser retains the No. 2 jersey ahead of Brandon Paenga-Amosa, packing down with loosehead Angus Bell and 89-Test tighthead Allan Alaalatoa. Josh Canham keeps his lock spot from his maiden Test start, joining Jeremy Williams in the second row, while Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight flank captain Harry Wilson at No. 8.

Nick Champion de Crespigny moves onto the bench after Tom Hooper was ruled out with a shoulder injury, and Reds utility Filipo Daugunu is set to win his 21st cap from the replacements.

“The group has reset this week in Brisbane after what was a tough ending to the first game of the Nations Championship,” head coach Schmidt said. “We have worked hard on continuing to improve after missing some vital opportunities last weekend. We know we can be better on Saturday, and we know that we will need to be against the back-to-back Six Nations Champions.”