ACT Brumbies trio Lachie Lonergan, Darcy Swain and Len Ikitau poised for Wallabies Test debuts

Three Tuggeranong exports are in line to make their Test debuts with Lachie Lonergan, Darcy Swain and Len Ikitau named on the Wallabies' bench for the opening Test against France in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Noah Lolesio will take the reins at flyhalf, less than three years after the quartet led the Tuggeranong Vikings to an ACT club rugby title over the Canberra Royals at Viking Park.

All four were somewhat fittingly side by side when Tuggeranong lifted the trophy, and now they find themselves with a golden opportunity to stake their claim as Australia's stars of the future on the road to the 2023 World Cup.

James O'Connor's absence opens the door for Lolesio's second chance in the No. 10 jersey as he looks to bury the demons of a forgettable Test debut against the All Blacks last year. Inside centre Matt To'omua will deputise at flyhalf if required.

MORE SPORT

"He's a confident kid, he is prepared to boss the big boys around," Rennie said.

"He has got a full Super season behind him too, last year he missed about an eight-week block. He has played a lot of footy, he has played really well.

"[I like] his ability to play flat and top of defences, he has put a lot of focus into his general kicking game, his goal-kicking has been excellent, he has made big shifts there. It was a pretty easy choice.

"A great opportunity for Noah, he is really excited by it obviously. Certainly by the way he has prepared, we would expect him to play well and be demanding of others around him.

"If you look right across the squad, there are a lot of guys who have played two or three Tests and are just starting to establish themselves at this level."

Among them is Ikitau, who got a taste of life in Wallabies camp last year as coaches identified the emerging Queensland product as a long-term investment.

"The past nine or 10 months have been massive for Lenny. He really struggled in this environment with the demands of training and so on [last year]," Rennie said.

"He learnt a lot through that, he has gone away and worked really hard, he has got a lot of opportunities at the Brumbies. He has got great hands, great feet, good kicking game. He has made good shifts and we're still going to ask more of him, more second touches, more involvements.

"We talk a lot about earning the right to wear the jersey. All of those young men have performed really well, they performed well in Super Rugby.

"We know it's going to be a lift in intensity but we're not asking any more of them than what we've seen. They're now going to be playing with better players, and hopefully that makes their debut a little bit easier.

"It's a huge amount of excitement and pride they're going to wear the jersey for the first time."

Andrew Kellaway is the fourth potential debutant in a 23-man squad boasting nine Brumbies, with James Slipper set to return from injury for his first game since Super Rugby AU.

Slipper will start in the front-row alongside Allan Alaalatoa, with Queensland hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa filling the No. 2 jersey with Lonergan to deputise from the bench.

Rob Valetini earns his first international start at blindside flanker, while Tom Banks starts at fullback alongside Tom Wright on the wing.

"We've got guys like Bobby Valetini who has just been on fire ... He's been massive at training, he's had a huge season for the Brumbies," Rennie said.

"We'll just ask him to do what he has been doing. He has been really physical on both sides of the ball. He's a very good mauler.

"His detail around his game has been excellent and his work ethic has improved massively."

WALLABIES V FRANCE

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

Wallabies squad: 1. James Slipper (100 Tests), 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (8 Tests), 3. Allan Alaalatoa (43 Tests), 4. Matt Philip (9 Tests), 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (25 Tests), 6. Rob Valetini (4 Tests), 7. Michael Hooper (c) (105 Tests), 8. Harry Wilson (6 Tests), 9. Jake Gordon (5 Tests), 10. Noah Lolesio (2 Tests), 11. Marika Koroibete (32 Tests), 12. Matt To'omua (54 Tests), 13. Hunter Paisami (6 Tests), 14. Tom Wright (3 Tests), 15. Tom Banks (11 Tests). Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan (uncapped), 17. Angus Bell (3 Tests), 18. Taniela Tupou (25 Tests), 19. Darcy Swain (uncapped), 20. Isi Naisarani (8 Tests), 21. Tate McDermott (2 Tests), 22. Len Ikitau (uncapped), 23. Andrew Kellaway (uncapped).

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: