Nations Championship

Australia's Wallabies will debut rookie Declan Meredith at flyhalf due to an injury crisis for Saturday's Nations Championship test against France. France made eight lineup changes after a loss to New Zealand, including Romain Ntamack returning at flyhalf and three Australia-raised players in their squad.

France winger Damian Penaud will miss the team’s remaining matches in the Nations Championship due to a calf injury sustained during the tournament-opening loss to New Zealand. He will not play in the games against Australia on Saturday and Japan on July 18. France has not announced a replacement for Penaud.

Ireland defeated Australia 33-31 in a Nations Championship match in Sydney, with a late try by Thomas Clarkson and a conversion by Sam Prendergast. Australia missed a final penalty attempt by Ben Donaldson, and the match marked the end of Joe Schmidt's coaching era and the start of Les Kiss's tenure.

Jock Campbell returns to start at fullback for the Wallabies in their Nations Championship opener against Ireland after a four-year absence. The match in Sydney features a revamped back three and marks the end of Joe Schmidt's coaching era, with Les Kiss set to take over. James Slipper, a veteran prop, is named on the bench after rejoining the team from retirement.

France's Antoine Dupont will miss the opening rounds of the inaugural Nations Championship and is replaced by Paul Graou. The tournament features matches in July and November, with France facing New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. Dupont, considered the world's best scrumhalf, recently helped Toulouse win the French Top 14 title, while Graou has scored 16 tries in 64 tests for France.

Veteran Australia prop James Slipper returns to international rugby, joining the squad for the Nations Championship. He is Australia's most-capped player with 151 test appearances, and the tournament features six southern and northern hemisphere teams competing in a new format.