New additions could feature in France Test

Sun, Nov 13, 2016, 6:00 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Jono Lance will join the Wallabies touring party this week. Photo: Getty Images
Jono Lance will join the Wallabies touring party this week. Photo: Getty Images

Jono Lance will join a contingent of eight players to become part of the Wallabies touring party this week, with the prospect of being selected for Australia's third Test against France

Lance will join Australia’s seven Barbarians players - Toby Smith, Sam Carter, Nic Stirzaker, Paddy Ryan, Luke Morahan, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Andrew Ready - in Paris this week ahead of the third Spring Tour Test and a midweek tour match on November 24 against the French Barbarians.

It's not just the tour match against a French Barbarians outfit that they will be considered for, with the potential for some players to come into the Test team this Saturday.

The Force flyhalf was a standout for NRC champions Perth Spirit after an injury-hampered Super Rugby season.

Luke Morahan crossed twice for the Barbarians. Photo: Getty imagesThe group will train alongside the Wallabies and will be based in the south of France ahead of a November 24 match in Bordeaux against the French team.

Aside from Lance, the players have all been with the Barbarians in the past fortnight, playing matches against South Africa, the Czech Republic and Fiji.

Morahan was a standout among those matches, scoring doubles against South Africa and Fiji.

Carter's chance could be an especially important one, with incumbent starting Wallabies lock Adam Coleman under an injury cloud after straining a medial ligament against Scotland.

These eight would potentially join the Wallabies development players - Andrew Kellaway, Jack Dempsey and Izaia Perese - as well as high-profile squad addition, Marika Koroibete in featuring in a Wallabies XV to take on the French Barbarians.

Taniela Tupou is the only development player not eligible to play in any match, with the Reds youngster still short of the three-year residency required to represent Australia at a senior level.

"We had always planned to bring in these players for the France week after the seven lads wrapped up with the Barbarians,"  Cheika said.

"Five of the players have Test experience for the Wallabies and while it's good to bolster our numbers ahead of the Wallaby XV game against the French Barbarians, we may consider them for selection against France this weekend." 

The Wallabies arrived to Paris on Sunday ahead of the third Test of their Sring Tour this Saturday.

Australia vs France will be shown LIVE on SBS and Foxtel's beInSport, kicking off at 7am AEDT. The French Barbarians game will take place on Thursday November 24 in Bordeaux, kicking off at 6:45am AEDT on Friday November 25.

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