Declan Meredith to make Test debut as sixth five-eighth in one year

The Wallabies will use their sixth different five-eighth mark in a year with out-of-bounds halfback Declan Meredith making his Test debut against France on Saturday.

The Wallabies’ extraordinary injury crisis in the fifth-eighth position, with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson ruled out after suffering calf injuries against Ireland last week, has forced manager Joe Schmidt to turn to Meredith for their high-pressure debut at Suncorp Stadium.

The 26-year-old was confirmed to be part of the Wallabies squad on Thursday.

Meredith was one of two changes made to the starting team; Tom Wright was also recalled to the 15th row to replace Jock Campbell. As predicted, Campbell returns to the bench and, in a risky choice, will be Meredith’s reserve five-eighth player despite never having started a professional game in that position in his long career.

Nick Champion De Crespigny joined the bench to replace the injured Tom Hooper and Filipo Daugunu was also added to the reserves.

Meredith’s selection at five-eighth continues the merry-go-round of players wearing the Wallabies No.10 jersey in the last 12 months.

Declan Meredith (L) talks to Jock Campbell (R) during Wallabies training.Getty Images

Since Noah Lolesio’s debut against Fiji at Newcastle nearly a year ago, there have been 11 changes to the Wallabies’ 10th position in 16 Tests.

Some suffered injuries, others came thanks to Schmidt’s form and selection calls.

After Lolesio’s injury, Tom Lynagh, James O’Connor, Tane Edmed, Carter Gordon started appearing and now Meredith. Donaldson also served as a substitute in most of these Tests.

However, despite playing in 10 Tests last year, Edmed was behind Meredith in the Brumbies this year and had limited game time. He was not selected in the Wallabies squad last month and was not given an emergency call-up by Schmidt this week.

O’Connor even returned to Brisbane after returning to Australia following his season with Leicester Tigers.

More to come…

Stan Sports The only place where you can watch every match Nations Championship live and on demand. Wallabies matches can also be watched live on Nine and 9Now.