5 Aug 2016

Wallabies call on French legion

6:37 pm on 5 August 2016

The Wallabies have called up five players who have been plying their trade in France for the Rugby Championship.

Quade Cooper during the Bledisloe Cup  at Eden Park, Auckland, 2012.

Quade Cooper during the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park, Auckland, 2012. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Veteran backs Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia and Quade Cooper all return to Australia's 33-man squad.

They meet the All Blacks in the opening game in Sydney in two weeks.

The Wallabies are coming off the back of a disastrous 3-0 series whitewash by England in June.

Giteau, Mitchell, Ashley-Cooper and Genia all still play in France, though Cooper has recently cut ties with Toulon and is moving back to Australia for next year's Super Rugby season.

All Black Richard Kahui tackles Wallaby Quade Cooper.

All Black Richard Kahui tackles Wallaby Quade Cooper. Photo: Supplied

Cheika also named four uncapped players in the squad, who will look to regain the Bledisloe Cup from the world champions, the All Blacks.

Australia's squad:

Forwards - Allan Ala'alatoa*, Adam Coleman, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, James Hanson, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore (c), Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson*, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani*

Backs - Adam Ashley-Cooper, Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge* Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Drew Mitchell, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua

* denotes new cap