Hooper back in latest Wallabies squad

Exeter Chiefs back-rower Tom Hooper has been named in the Wallabies squad for their November Nations Championship tour of the UK.

Having won one out of three on home soil in the summer against Italy, Hooper will link up with the Aussie squad to take on England at Allianz Stadium, then Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield and Wales at the Principality Stadium.

The squad include two uncapped players in New South Wales pair Tom Lambert and Teddy Wilson, the former U20s captain and son of former Wallaby David Wilson.

Wallabies head coach Les Kiss said: “There’s a real buzz among the squad as we prepare for what will be four incredibly demanding matches against high-quality opposition as part of the November Nations Championship tests.

“As coaches, we’ve made some tough selection calls to keep building depth across the board and we know a tour like this will challenge the whole squad on many levels.

“This tour gives us another valuable opportunity to test new combinations, strengthen our existing connections and push our game forward in all areas.”

Hooper joins fellow overseas players Taniela Tupou [France] and Hunter Paisami [Japan] in being recalled to the squad through World Rugby’s regulation nine window. He’s reunited with former Chief Len Ikitau, who now plies his trade at the ACT Brumbies.

Like the Welsh and Italian squads who selected Chiefs players earlier this week, the Aussies will see their campaign come to an end at Finals Weekend in London on the weekend of 26 November. The final games will determine teams’ finishing places in the Championship.