Beale on bench for his Wallabies comeback

Called into the squad for Australia’s three-Test tour of the UK following an injury to Reece Hodge and the decisions of Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper to remain in Japan with their club sides, 92-Test veteran Beale – who can play at fullback, flyhalf and in the centres – is poised to make his first Wallabies appearance since the 2019 World Cup.

He will be joined on the bench by another France-based tour reinforcement in Will Skelton, while a third member of Australia’s French connection, lock Rory Arnold, will start against the Scots.

“To be able to call on the experience and quality of players like Rory, Kurtley and Will is really valuable for our group,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.

“Those three guys have merged with the group seamlessly, worked hard on their detail this week and are super excited to earn another opportunity to represent their country … they’re all good players.

“With Will coming off the bench, he’s a beast and will give us really good impact.

“Kurtley has been fantastic. He’s passionate, a really good communicator, he looks sharp, he’s trained well … he realises it’s a great opportunity.

“He thought his Wallabies dream was over, so it’s exciting for him and his family, and it’s exciting for us.”

With Cooper not touring, Queensland Reds captain James O’Connor will start at flyhalf for the first time this year, with the Brumbies’ Nic White to partner him in the halves in Australia’s bid for a sixth successive win.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in James,” Rennie said.

“From a Reds point of view he had a fantastic season and was a big part of their (Super Rugby AU) success.

“He brings a lot of confidence and experience. He’s certainly been very good.”

Hodge’s absence has led to Andrew Kellaway shifting from wing to fullback, with the wing spots to be occupied by Tom Wright and Jordan Petaia.

In the forwards, powerful Reds prop Taniela Tupou will have to be content with a spot on the bench in his return to the scene of his international debut four years ago.

Tupou has lost his starting spot to Allan Alaalatoa, who will pack down in the front row with his Brumbies’ teammates James Slipper and Folau Fainga’a.

“We just felt this game it was right to have Taniela off the bench,” Rennie said.

“We’re fortunate we’ve got two high quality (tighthead props). Allan’s very good around maul and maul defence, so he’ll give us plenty of workrate early, and hopefully Taniela gives us power and ‘X-factor’ off the bench.”

Uncapped Waratahs back Izaia Perese could become the 948th player to represent the Wallabies after being named among the replacements.

“Izzy is someone who’s been on our radar for a little while now and has been impressive in training and deserves his chance,” Rennie said of the former Brisbane Broncos rugby league player.

Rennie, a former Glasgow Warriors coach, predicted a tough test for his Australian side.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of players in the Scotland set-up and we’ve prepared knowing how tough a challenge it’s going to be,” he said.

Wallabies team to play Scotland at Murrayfield on Monday, 1.15am (AEDT): 1. James Slipper (111 Tests), 2. Folau Fainga’a (22 Tests), 3. Allan Alaalatoa (51 Tests), 4. Rory Arnold (26 Tests), 5. Izack Rodda (31 Tests), 6. Rob Leota (3 Tests), 7. Michael Hooper (c) (116 Tests), 8. Rob Valetini (15 Tests), 9. Nic White (44 Tests), 10. James O’Connor (58 Tests), 11. Jordan Petaia (15 Tests), 12. Hunter Paisami (12 Tests), 13. Len Ikitau (10 Tests), 14. Tom Wright (7 Tests), 15. Andrew Kellaway (10 Tests). Bench: 16. Connal McInerney (1 Test), 17. Angus Bell (13 Tests), 18. Taniela Tupou (36 Tests), 19. Will Skelton (18 Tests), 20. Pete Samu (16 Tests), 21. Tate McDermott (12 Tests), 22. Kurtley Beale (92 Tests), 23. Izaia Perese (uncapped).

Originally published as Kurtley Beale to make his return for the Wallabies via the bench against Scotland