Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says “old dog” James Slipper will add vital leadership and experience after being coaxed out of retirement.
The veteran prop has been recalled to Australia’s squad for next month’s Nations Championship Tests against Ireland, France and Italy, less than a year after bringing the curtain down on his Test career.
Slipper retired after earning his 151st cap against the All Blacks last October, ending a career that saw him become Australia’s most-capped player.
But a standout campaign with the Brumbies has convinced Schmidt to bring the 37-year-old back into the international fold.
“It cost me a coffee,” the Wallabies coach said of luring him back. “There’s an old dog … great to lean on and he’s a known quantity and leader in the group, which we lacked a bit during last season [after injuries hit].”
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The recall marks one of the biggest selection stories ahead of Australia’s opening Tests of the season and keeps alive the possibility of Slipper featuring at a home World Cup in 2027.
Already sitting third on the all-time list of Test appearances, Slipper is within touching distance of overtaking former All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock’s tally of 153 caps. Only Welsh great Alun Wyn Jones, with 170 appearances, remains further ahead.
Schmidt named a 37-man squad for the opening three matches of the Nations Championship and said the group had been carefully selected after months of discussion.
“There have been ongoing discussions amongst the coaches for a number of months and, as always, there are some very good players who have not been selected for this first international window,” Schmidt said.
“We’ve settled on a group that we think will work hard and can perform well against three top-tier European teams with the added excitement of competing in the new Nations Championship for the first time.”
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The squad also includes potential debutants Declan Meredith, Lachlan Shaw and Miles Amatosero, while Angus Bell returns after spending the season with Ulster in Ireland.
Australia will begin their campaign against Ireland in Sydney on 4 July before hosting France in Brisbane and Italy in Perth.
Wallabies squad:
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Miles Amatosero, Angus Bell, Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lachlan Shaw, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson.
Backs: Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook, Carter Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Corey Toole, Tom Wright.
Wallabies fixtures:
Saturday, 4 July: Australia vs Ireland, Sydney
Saturday, 11 July: Australia vs France, Brisbane
Saturday, 18 July: Australia vs Italy, Perth
Your first Wallabies squad of 2026
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— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 19, 2026
– AFP
Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
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Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says “old dog” James Slipper will add vital leadership and experience after being coaxed out of retirement.
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