Champion De Crespigny gets surprise Wallabies debut for the opening Lions Rugby Test

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has made bold selection calls ahead of Saturday’s opening Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane, handing a surprise debut to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and giving young fly-half Tom Lynagh a shock start.

Champion de Crespigny, who impressed with French club Castres before joining the Western Force, gets the nod at blindside flanker in place of the not fully fit Rob Valetini, edging out Tom Hooper and Langi Gleeson. His inclusion adds grit to the back row alongside captain Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.



Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, will earn his first Test start in the No. 10 jersey, 36 years after his father faced the Lions in 1989. He leapfrogs Ben Donaldson and veteran James O’Connor, the latter left out entirely. Donaldson will cover from the bench after Noah Lolesio was ruled out with a neck injury.

In other changes, Matt Faessler starts at hooker due to Dave Porecki's concussion, joining front-row stalwarts Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper. Slipper now joins George Smith as the only Wallabies to play in back-to-back Lions series in the professional era.

Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost start at lock, Jake Gordon gets the nod at scrum-half, and Len Ikitau partners Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in midfield. Max Jorgensen and Harry Potter start on the wings, with Tom Wright at fullback.

Facing an undefeated Lions side, Schmidt called it a 'massive challenge', urging his team to step up after a shaky warm-up win over Fiji.

Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Nick Champion de Grespigny; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Daessler, James Slipper

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway