Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Wallabies vs France will feature a major selection twist at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with ACT Brumbies flyhalf Declan Meredith handed his Test debut at No.10 after Australia’s latest injury blow.

The eighth-ranked Wallabies enter the clash against the back-to-back Six Nations champions trying to avoid a sixth straight Test defeat, their worst run in 10 years.

The rugby selection drama comes during a busy Australian sport week, with Dean Solomon’s Essendon Bombers test against the Brisbane Lions also adding to the pressure around under-fire teams.

Meredith Gets His Chance

Meredith has been promoted after Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson both suffered calf injuries in the two-point loss to Ireland last week.

Gordon has been ruled out of the next two Tests against France and Italy, while Donaldson trained separately at Ballymore on Thursday with a compression sleeve on his injured leg.

Queensland fullback Jock Campbell, one of Australia’s best against Ireland in his first Test in nearly four years, has been moved to the bench as a possible playmaking option.

Tom Wright returns at fullback, while Filipo Daugunu and Nick Champion de Crespigny have also been added to the matchday squad.

Schmidt Seeks A Response

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has not yet replaced Gordon in the wider squad, though Harry McLaughlin-Phillips trained with the group this week.

Tom Lynagh remains sidelined with a leg injury, while Meredith was preferred ahead of Tane Edmed at the ACT Brumbies during the Super Rugby Pacific season.

"The group has reset this week in Brisbane after what was a tough ending to the first game of the Nations Championship," 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."

Official fixtures and squad updates are available through Rugby Australia.

Wallabies Team

Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Dylan Pietsch, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright.

Bench: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu.