Veteran lock and former Australia captain James Horwill was recalled to the Wallabies’ training squad yesterday for their upcoming Tests against England, with code-hopper Karmichael Hunt also included among 10 uncapped players.
Horwill was sensationally left out of Australia’s World Cup squad last year, but has impressed at his new club, English side Harlequins.
The 30-year-old is one of four players based overseas to make Michael Cheika’s 39-man list ahead of next month’s three-Test home series, starting on June 11 in Brisbane, along with Bordeaux prop Sekope Kepu.
Leroy Houston (Bath) and Taqele Naiyaravoro (Glasgow Warriors) are also included, after they both recently signed deals that will bring them back to Australia.
The squad includes 10 newcomers, including the Queensland Reds’ Hunt, a former rugby league international who was last year banned for six weeks and fined following a cocaine conviction.
Another former rugby league star Eto Nabuli, now playing for the Reds, also got the nod.
However, the experienced Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Will Genia are all missing, either injured or unavailable. They are likely to be back in the frame for the Rugby Championship once rested after a long European season, as are injury plagued Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua and Henry Speight.
Wasps-bound Kurtley Beale was not considered after knee surgery this month that is expected to sideline him for up to six months.
Christian Lealiifano seems earmarked as his replacement in the backs, although Samu Kerevi is another who could possibly fill the role.
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