Trio added to Wallabies squad for Italy Test as Donaldson looks to prove fitness

Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 10:21 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is one of three players called into the Wallabies squad for Saturday's Test with Italy. Photo: Getty Images
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is one of three players called into the Wallabies squad for Saturday's Test with Italy. Photo: Getty Images

The Wallabies have called Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Isaac Henry and Joe Brial into the squad as further cover ahead of Saturday's Test against Italy in Perth.

It comes with Carter Gordon (calf), Tom Hooper (shoulder) and Hunter Paisami (knee) not making the trip west.

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All three spent time within the Wallabies camp during the week, with McLaughlin-Phillips rushed in following Gordon's and Ben Donaldson's calf strains.

It leaves the Force recruit as a potential option to make his debut as his new club teammate races the clock to be fit.

"We should know by Tuesday when he trains, if he can train fully, then he's obviously available," coach Joe Schmidt said post-game.

Schmidt opted to start with Declan Meredith on his debut, using Jock Campbell as flyhalf cover off the bench.

Italy has its own issues with injuries and selections, left battered after a 47-17 defeat to New Zealand.

Lock Niccolo Cannone is set to be suspended after he was red carded for an attempted headbutt on Cam Roigard.

Cannone was upgraded from yellow after the incident for collecting the scrumhalf at the base of the ruck.

Fullback Tommaso Allan was stretchered from the field after a lengthy break and taken to hospital with an apparent chest injury.

Winger Malik Faissal also came off midway through the game, potentially opening the door for a return for Aussie-born flyer Monty Ioane.

The Test looms as Joe Schmidt's final in charge of the Wallabies as he prepares to hand over to Les Kiss at the end of the week.

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