Queensland Reds winger Piper Flynn is in line to make her Wallaroos debut after being included on the bench for Australia’s WXV Global Series clash against France in Aix-en-Provence on Sunday morning (1:45am AEST).
The 23-year-old from the Gold Coast is the latest rookie to be named in the matchday 23 after Reds teammate Jemma Bemrose and NSW Waratahs winger Amelia Whitaker debuted against England last weekend.
Flynn is one of four personnel changes for the Wallaroos leading into the France Test with Tiarah Minns, Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Ava Wereta also added to the 23.
Minns and Tuinakauvadra return from injury that ruled them out for most of Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s while Wereta is recalled after featuring in the Pacific Four series throughout April.
Whitaker retains her spot on the wing following an impressive debut last week and overcoming a hamstring issue while Piper Duck and Allana Sikimeti earn a spot in the starting side.
Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh said: “We've landed to warm weather and real anticipation for this Test. We know exactly where our strengths and weaknesses lie, and sharpening those areas week after week is exactly the kind of environment we thrive in.
“It's about winning the moments in front of us, building something bigger than ourselves, and loving the work it takes to get there.
"France are a complete side, both physical, flamboyant and we're not underestimating anything about what's coming.
"The squad will also welcome another debutant to the international stage this weekend, with Reds speedster Piper Flynn set to earn her first cap."
Wallaroos squad member Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke has returned home to Australia after picking up a knee injury at training that will rule her out for the remainder of the series.
The Wallaroos have played France on six occasions for two wins, including the last time both nations met in the 2023 WXV series in New Zealand.
Watch the Wallaroos during the 2026 WXV Global Series live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
WALLAROOS TEAM FOR TEST AGAINST FRANCE
1. Allana Sikimeti - #212 (Western Force/Norths Eagles Rugby) – 5 caps
2. Brittany Merlo - #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 5 caps
3. Faliki Pohiva - #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 12 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney - #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 41 caps
5. Michaela Leonard - #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 48 caps
6. Pia Tapsell - #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 2 caps
7. Piper Duck - #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 28 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) - #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 29 caps
9. Samantha Wood - #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 17 caps
10. Waiaria Ellis - #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 8 caps
11. Desiree Miller - #204 (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 29 caps
12. Faitala Moleka - #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 32 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs - #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 43 caps
14. Amelia Whitaker - #237 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 1 cap
15. Caitlyn Halse - #210 (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams) – 16 caps
Reserves
16. Tania Naden - #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 31 caps
17. Brianna Hoy - #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 15 caps
18. Eva Karpani - #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 47 caps
19. Tiarah Minns - #217 (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 6 caps
20. Tabua Tuinakauvadra - #200 (ACT Brumbies/Orange Emus) – 22 caps
21. Tia Hinds - #222 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 12 caps
22. Piper Flynn* (Queensland Reds/Surfers Paradise Rugby) – uncapped
23. Ava Wereta - #233 (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers) – 2 caps
*denotes possible debut
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (knee)
WALLAROOS 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
- March 27: Wallaroos 33 defeated Fijiana 15 at GIO Stadium
- April 11: Canada 24 defeated Wallaroos 0 at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, USA
- April 17: USA 33 defeated Wallaroos 12 at CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA
- April 25: Wallaroos 5 defeated by New Zealand 40 at Sunshine Coast Stadium
- August 22: New Zealand 66 defeated Wallaroos 19 at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
WXV Global Series
- September 13: England v Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford - 12:00am AEST
- September 20: France v Wallaroos at Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence - 1:45am AEST
- September 27: Scotland v Wallaroos at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh - 1:10am AEST
- October 17: Wallaroos v Scotland at Accor Stadium, Sydney - 1:00pm AEDT
- October 23: Wallaroos v Scotland at GIO Stadium, Canberra - 7:30pm AEDT
