The prop has been selected to start at loosehead for the Wallabies in their first Test of the year
Angus Bell, who enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign at Ulster, has been named at loosehead prop for the Wallabies’ opening Test of the year against Ireland at Allianz Stadium on Saturday (11.10am Irish time).
The 25-year-old featured in all four of Australia’s November internationals, facing England, Italy, Ireland and France, before making his Ulster bow against Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup in the opening week of December.
Bell went on to clock up 12 URC appearances and a further four Challenge Cup outings, rounding off his season with a commanding display against Montpellier Herault in the 2026 European Rugby Challenge Cup Final at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, late in May.
Meanwhile, Inverell product Jock Campbell has been handed his first Test start in 1316 days, with head coach Joe Schmidt naming him at fullback.
Campbell, whose last Wallabies appearance came in their 2022 victory over Wales in Cardiff, will join forces with 21 year old Max Jorgensen and Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch in the back three for the sold-out Sydney fixture, reports the Irish Mirror.
Campbell’s Queensland teammate Josh Canham has also been handed his first Test start, lining up alongside Western Force captain Jeremy Williams in the second row.
ACT Brumbies skipper Ryan Lonergan is another to earn his first starting berth in Wallaby gold, slotting in at number nine and linking up with Carter Gordon, who takes the flyhalf jersey.
Bell is back from his sabbatical in Belfast and will line up at loosehead prop against several of his Ulster colleagues. He completes a front row featuring hooker Josh Nasser alongside the vastly experienced Allan Alaalatoa.
Wallabies supporters will recognise a familiar back-row combination kicking off the 2026 Test season, with two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini selected at blindside flanker, Reds captain Fraser McReight at openside and Harry Wilson leading the team at number eight.
2026 John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau gets the nod at inside centre, just a fortnight after representing Exeter in the UK Premiership final. He reunites with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in midfield – marking the 14th occasion they’ve partnered together in the Wallabies’ previous 19 Tests.
Wallabies all-time appearance record holder James Slipper will officially emerge from Test retirement, selected as the replacement loosehead prop – linking up with Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Paris-based Taniela Tupou in an experienced replacement front row.
23-year-old Ipswich Rangers junior Lachlan Shaw has earned selection for a potential Test debut as the replacement lock, while Exeter-based Tom Hooper will offer additional forward cover from the bench.
Dynamic scrum-half Tate McDermott returns to the Test stage from the replacements, alongside Brumbies fullback Tom Wright, after both players saw their 2026 Wallabies campaigns cut short through injury. Force playmaker Ben Donaldson completes the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The group has reconnected quickly and we’ve worked hard over the past week to prepare as best we can for what is an exciting challenge against the number three team in World Rugby.
“Kicking off 2026 at a sold-out Allianz Stadium gives the group a huge lift and we are fully focused on earning every bit of that home crowd support on Saturday.”
Wallabies team to face Ireland:
1. Angus Bell (50 Tests) – #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club.
2. Josh Nasser (11 Tests) – #979; Easts Rugby (Brisbane).
3. Allan Alaalatoa (88 Tests) – #896; West Harbour Juniors.
4. Jeremy Williams (25 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers.
5. Josh Canham (2 Tests) – #987; Harlequin Rugby Club.
6. Rob Valetini (62 Tests) – #929; Harlequin Rugby Club.
7. Fraser McReight (39 Tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies.
8. Harry Wilson (c) (36 Tests) – #933; Gunnedah Red Devils.
9. Ryan Lonergan (5 Tests) – #993; Tuggeranong Vikings.
10. Carter Gordon (9 Tests) – #967; Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
11. Dylan Pietsch (9 Tests) – #978; Leeton Phantoms.
12. Len Ikitau (50 Tests) – #944; Tuggeranong Vikings.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (18 Tests) – #988; The Kings School.
14. Max Jorgensen (20 Tests) – #984; Balmain Wolves.
15. Jock Campbell (4 Tests) – #959; Inverell Highlanders.
Substitutes:
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (25 Tests) – #918; Southern Districts.
17. James Slipper (151 Tests) – #843; Bond Pirates.
18. Taniela Tupou (68 Tests) – #917; Brothers Rugby.
19. Lachlan Shaw* – uncapped; Ipswich Rangers.
20. Tom Hooper (22 Tests) – #964; Bathurst Bulldogs.
21. Tate McDermott (50 Tests) – #936; Flinders Rugby Club.
22. Ben Donaldson (19 Tests) – #962; Clovelly Eagles.
23. Tom Wright (43 Tests) – #939; Clovelly Eagles.














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