Five uncapped players included in Wallabies squad to face Ireland

Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has confirmed his squad for the blockbuster three-Test Mitsubishi Estate Ireland Series that kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 9 June.
 
The squad includes five uncapped players including Melbourne Rebels Jack Maddocks and in-form Brumbies fullback Tom Banks.
 
Maddocks has been in scintillating form for the Melbourne Rebels with eight tries so far during Super Rugby while Banks has got over the stripe six times in 12 games.

Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a has earned his first squad selection while Reds duo Caleb Timu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa will also be knocking down the door for their Test debut.
 
It’s been a rapid rise for Paenga-Amosa who was playing in Sydney’s Shute Shield just a year ago before starring in the National Rugby Championship.
 
Each of Australia’s four Super Rugby sides are well represented with six Reds, eight Brumbies, eight Rebels, and 10 Waratahs, with an average age of 25 across the squad.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: "Brandon's (Paenga-Amosa) gone up against Malcom Marx and performed right at that level.

"For me, a guy who's come out of club rugby, Southern Districts in New South Wales and then he played in the NRC, got his opportunity out there, was spotted by the Reds and has taken that opportunity with both hands.

"I think Jack (Maddocks) has had a really good year, he's had a couple of up and down games as well, because he's nearly played every game, if I'm not wrong, and a lot of minutes for a young fella coming into Super Rugby.

"He's changed between fullback and wing, and shown a lot of good qualities, good skill and high work rate.

"Still got a lot to learn, but I think he deserves the opportunity he's got," Cheika said.
 
It will be the first time Australia and Ireland will face-off in a three Test Series, with the opening clash at Suncorp Stadium on June 9 before fixtures at AAMI Park in Melbourne (June 16) and Allianz Stadium in Sydney (June 23).

Wallabies squad to face Ireland

TIGHT FIVE - Sekope Kepu, Tom Robertson, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jordan Uelese, Izack Rodda, Folau Fainga’a, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman and Rob Simmons

BACK ROW - Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Lukhan Tui, Caleb Timu, David Pocock.

BACKS - Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell and Curtis Rona