'He has played in some big moments': Dave Rennie backs Wallabies contender Ryan Lonergan

Ryan Lonergan has surged into the frame for the Wallabies' opening Test against France at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 7 with a knee injury ruling Nic White out of the three-game series.

Queensland scrumhalf Tate McDermott is favoured to win the starting role - but two more senior Wallabies are under an injury cloud which could spark a revamp.

Flyhalf James O'Connor has a groin injury which has kept him out of training at stages this week while inside centre Matt To'omua is still in Canberra recovering from a neck injury.

O'Connor's absence would open the door for Noah Lolesio to take the reins at No. 10, which could work in Lonergan's favour should Rennie look to tap into their Super Rugby combination.

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Lonergan offers Rennie a methodical scrumhalf with pinpoint accuracy from the kicking tee, while McDermott's running game makes him one of Australia's most threatening weapons.

"It could be an option. Obviously if James is there, he and Tate have played a lot of footy together. We've talked about combinations," Rennie said.

"These guys are training a lot together, we're having about five sessions a day. They're getting to know each other pretty well.

"Tate has got an excellent running game, that's a standout. He has been working really hard on his core skill set around his passing and kicking game. He has had a big season, very confident.

"His communication and ability to bark and challenge the big guys around him has really developed over the past 12 months.

"We've got a couple of good options there."

Lonergan was initially drafted into the squad as injury cover for Jake Gordon but now the fourth-choice scrumhalf could find himself in a gold jersey to kick off a manic run of three Tests in 11 days.

That is if Gordon is ruled out of the first Test, with the NSW Waratahs veteran tracking well on his road to recovery from injury.

Rennie has no doubt 23-year-old Lonergan, whose younger brother Lachie is pushing for a place in the match day squad at hooker, is up to the challenge of Test football.

"He's a good player, isn't he? He has played in some big moments for the Brumbies," Rennie said.

"He has a really competent skill set, a smart kid. It's been good having him in the environment.

"Obviously we brought him in as cover for Jake initially, and we're hanging onto him especially with Whitey's injury. He's going really well.

"We've got pretty good news around Jake Gordon. Jake is in camp, he's recovering really well.

"He was in line to be back for the second Test, he is pushing to potentially be back in time for the first one but we're not going to rush that."

To'omua is set to return to Wallabies camp on Sanctuary Cove on Sunday, with both he and O'Connor to be given every chance to be fit for the first Test.

Rennie will be desperate to have one of the experienced pair on hand for the series opener against the French.

The Wallabies mentor says the decision to release To'omua from camp was "as much to clear his head" as anything with a gruelling international schedule on the horizon.

"He had an injury in our campaign last year, he got injured in Auckland in game two and never made it back. He spent a lot of time in the environment and that's not always easy either," Rennie said.

"We just saw it as a chance for him to clear his head. He couldn't do a hell of a lot for the next few days, and we've got good people down in Canberra, where he has gone to, to look after him.

"I know he has enjoyed a couple of days out to freshen mentally as well as anything. Looking forward to him coming back in on Sunday."

WALLABIES V FRANCE

First Test: Wednesday, July 7 - Australia v France at Sydney Cricket Ground. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Second Test: Tuesday, July 13 - Australia v France at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

Third Test: Saturday, July 17 - Australia v France at Lang Park. Broadcast live on Nine and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

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