Milestone for Taniela Tupou as Eddie Jones names youthful Wallabies team for World Cup opener

Eddie Jones has named his Wallabies matchday squad for their Rugby World Cup opener against Georgia on Saturday.

17 of Jones’ matchday 23 are set to run out for their World Cup debuts against the Lelos, while tighthead prop Taniela Tupou will make his 50th appearance for the Wallabies.

The youthful squad averages just 19 Test caps per player.

Wallabies team to face Georgia

Will Skelton captains the side at lock, with Jones selecting an unchanged forward pack from the side that played France in their final warm-up game. Richie Arnold partners him in the second-row. Angus Bell and Dave Porecki join Tupou in the unchanged front-row.

Tom Hooper starts at blindside flanker, Fraser McReight is on the openside and Rob Valetini completes the loose trio at number eight.

Jones has tinkered with his backline, but the starting half-backs of scrum-half Tate McDermott and fly-half Carter Gordon remain intact.

Australia have been boosted by the fitness of Samu Kerevi, who was in danger of missing the clash with a hand injury, as he starts at number 12, with Jordan Petaia at outside centre.

There is a change at full-back as Andrew Kellaway makes way for Ben Donaldson, who earns his first Wallabies start.

He is joined in the back three by right winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and left winger Marika Koroibete.

Jones has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench, with Nic White, Lalakai Foketi and Suliasi Vunivalu covering the backs.

Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Zane Nonggorr, Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson provide forward cover.

The total cap tally for the starting XV is 343, with a further 99 on the bench.

Wallabies team

Australia: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton (c), 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Rob Leota, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nic White, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu

Date: Saturday, 9 September
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 BST, 16:00 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

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