Cooper out but Folau in for 25-man Wallabies

Code-hopper Israel Folau is one of three new caps in Australia’s preliminary 25-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions, with in-form Reds playmaker Quade Cooper the most notable omission.

Folau’s selection caps a remarkable rise for the former rugby league international after just 12 Super 15 appearances for the Waratahs since switching from AFL at the start of the season.

Brumbies captain Ben Mowen and inside centre Christian Lealiifano were the other new faces in the group. Experienced Brumbies flanker George Smith (knee) and Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (fractured arm) have both been overlooked, opening the door for Reds duo Liam Gill and Saia Fainga’a.

The Australian Rugby Union was prepared to bend the rules for Smith, who is on loan from Japanese club Suntory, to allow the 110-Test veteran to play in his second series against the Lions. But a suspected medial ligament injury threatens to rule him out of the three-Test series.

There was also no room for former John Eales medallist Kurtley Beale or inside centre Pat McCabe (knee injury), with Waratahs midfielder Rob Horne getting the nod in a selection surprise. But Cooper’s non-selection will be the major talking point in the coming days.

Rebels utility James O’Connor is considered the man most likely to wear the number 10 in the first Test in Brisbane on June 22, though Barnes and Lealiifano are options.

Cooper can still play his way into the Wallabies squad, with a further six players to be added on June 11. Beale could also be a late inclusion despite checking himself into rehab to deal with alcohol issues.

Preliminary Australia 25-man squad: Ben Alexander, Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, Saia Fainga’a, Israel Folau, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, James O’Connor, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Joe Tomane.