Giteau, Mitchell return to Wallaby match-day squad

SYDNEY – Toulon’s Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell will make their long awaited returns to test rugby after being named in the Wallabies 23-man squad to take on the Springboks in Brisbane on Saturday

With Mitchell named on the bench, Giteau will start alongside halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper who also make their returns to the starting squad after a tumultuous 18 months spent in and out of the side.

Hooper has also been handed the start as well as the honour of being named Vice Captain along with winger Adam Ashley-Cooper. This means the form flanker and veteran David Pocock takes his place on the bench after a stellar Super Rugby season.

While it will be interesting to see if the Wallabies can improve on their showing from their 2014 end of year tour, many eyes will be on Giteau and Mitchell to see how well they adapt back to playing test rugby

Wallabies team to take on the Springboks

1. James Slipper – (Reds)
2. Stephen Moore, C – (Brumbies)
3. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
4. Will Skelton (Waratahs)
5. Rob Simmons (Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper, VC – (Waratahs)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Rebels)
9. Will Genia (Reds)
10. Quade Cooper (Reds)
11. Rob Horne (Waratahs)
12. Matt Giteau (Toulon)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, VC – (Waratahs)
15. Israel Folau (Waratahs)