Joe Schmidt turns page with nod to Declan Meredith ahead of Ireland clash

Joe Schmidt is not turning to his reliables this time around. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Andy Farrell’s Ireland will come up against a new-look Wallabies side on July 4, with neither James O’Connor nor Tane Edmed to be named in Joe Schmidt’s Test squad next week.

Instead, having invested heavily in Edmed last year and continually turned to James O’Connor, Schmidt will pin his faith in Carter Gordon, recall Ben Donaldson and give an opportunity to 26-year-old Declan Meredith.

While Gordon’s inclusion was always anticipated and Donaldson was arguably the form Australian playmaker, the arrival of Meredith jumps out.

Despite Schmidt name-dropping the Brumbies playmaker earlier in the year as a player who had caught his eye, the 26-year-old's form tailed off the deeper the year went.

Indeed, his form struggles coincided with the Brumbies dropping five of their past seven games, including their final two matches. But Schmidt and his coaching cohort have looked past the Brumbies’ recent struggles.

Nor is there room for O’Connor.

Despite Schmidt regularly turning to O’Connor during the second half of last year, the former Irish coach constantly wanted to turn a new chapter and move past the 36-year-old, who last week started for Leicester Tigers. Now, he has.

Tom Lynagh will also be encouraged to make his return via club rugby, having endured an injury-plagued ten months since wearing the No.10 jersey in all three Tests against the Lions last year.

Schmidt’s squad for the Nations Championship won’t be confirmed until late next week, but sources say around 40 players have been included in a Players of National Interest (PONI) squad.

None of Australia’s overseas-based players are included in the PONI squad, but it’s believed Angus Bell, who is enjoying a holiday in Greece after a season with Ulster, will be included as one of three overseas players.

Exeter’s Tom Hooper and Racing 92 prop Taniela Tupou are also set to be called up.

Len Ikitau, who enjoyed a sabbatical season with Exeter but is returning to the Brumbies next season for one more campaign, will also be included.

Despite turning to Meredith, Schmidt is expected to otherwise be conservative in his selections.

The outgoing Wallabies coach is set to resist calls to parachute Super Rugby rookies Treyvon Pritchard and Sid Harvey into the squad.

Instead, Pritchard will play for the Australian under-20s side in Georgia later this month, while Harvey has been sent back to club rugby.

The decision to look past the exciting young backs comes despite former Wallabies coach John Connolly urging Schmidt to parachute them into the squad, given their excellent promise.

Former State of Origin star Zac Lomax won’t feature either. The athletic outside back has been managing a groin issue since joining the Western Force mid-season after his messy exit from the NRL.

Fullback Jock Campbell, however, returns after a four-year international exile. But it’s unlikely he will play, with Tom Wright also returning after missing the second half of last year with an ACL injury.

Max Jorgensen, Dylan Pietsch, Filipo Daugunu, Corey Toole and Harry Potter are the wingers.

Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will likely form the midfield, especially after Hunter Paisami’s MCL injury. Benetton-bound centre Josh Flook has also been included.

Uncapped duo David Feliaui and Isaac Henry have been included in the PONI squad, with the latter firmly in the mix to be called into the official squad.

Tate McDermott, Ryan Lonergan and Kalani Thomas are firming to be the three halfbacks.

But it’s up front that the Wallabies are concerned, and it’s why Schmidt has lured the nation’s most capped player, James Slipper, out of international retirement.

The 151 Test stalwart had retired after last year’s Rugby Championship, but it’s believed he has answered Schmidt’s call for the July Tests.

It comes after an injury to Wallaby Blake Schoupp and a concern around the squad’s tight-five stocks, who were well-beaten, especially late in matches, during last year’s disastrous winless November tour.

Schmidt will also likely lean heavily on former Northampton Saints lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to provide some physicality, especially after Will Skelton’s season-ending injury.

Although Schmidt will bow out following the July Tests, there’s much on the line for the former Ireland coach. Not only is his winning percentage sitting at 39 per cent, but he also wants to go out with his legacy firmly intact after taking over from Eddie Jones.

That’s at risk if he loses to Ireland in front of a sold out Sydney crowd – half of whom will be dressed in green.