Australia squad for Rugby World Cup 2023: Full list of players selected for Wallabies

Rugby Union in Australia is arguably undergoing its biggest period of transition since the start of the professional era, experiencing a sea-change of players, coaches, and results in the last 12 months. Following Dave Rennie's sacking at the end of 2022, Eddie Jones is back in the Wallabies fold for the first time since 2005, and his first challenge is the small matter of a Rugby World Cup.

The Wallabies have had a difficult few months leading into the tournament, losing all five of their matches this calendar year including hammerings by South Africa, New Zealand and France respectively. Still searching for a first win back in charge of Australia, Jones has picked a squad brimming with experimentation.

Your team to take on the world 💚💛#Wallabies #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/sVG73YPATF

— Wallabies (@wallabies) August 10, 2023

It's an inexperienced selection to say the least, with three uncapped players included in the form of Blake Schoupp, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa and 18-year-old Max Jorgensen, while only 14 members of the 33-man squad have more than 15 caps.

Unlike most teams at this World Cup, Australia won't have a solitary leader, with France-based lock Will Skelton and scrum-half Tate McDermott named as co-captains, in a move which will see likely starter Skelton lead the side from the off and McDermott take the reins whenever he's on the pitch.

MORE: Watch all the action from the Rugby World Cup with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand in 4K UHD, only on Stan Sport.

However, it's the absence of Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper which has raised the most eyebrows, with neither veteran deemed fit enough to travel following injuries over the summer. Flanker Hooper has been a mainstay of the side for the last decade, but calf trouble has put paid to his tournament ambitions, with 22-year-old namesake Tom Hooper taking his place amongst the back rowers.

MORE: Rugby World Cup 2023: Matches, results, pools, schedule, fixture list for tournament in France

Cooper, meanwhile, has been in and out of the side for an even longer period, but had looked set for a seat on the plane after returning to the international setup in 2021. However, persistent injury issues have seen the 35-year-old overlooked for young playmakers Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson, as Australia head to the World Cup with just six caps between their two specialist fly-halves.

In Pool C alongside a similarly down-on-their-luck Wales, tournament returnees Portugal, and the resurgent, Tier 1-toppling Fiji and Georgia, the youthful Wallabies have one hell of a task on their hands if they're to make a dent at this World Cup.

The year's biggest blockbuster coming September 8th 🏆 🇦🇺 #Rugby #EddieJones #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/XM3YlQGyyt

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 17, 2023

Australia full 2023 Rugby World Cup squad

Jones' 33-man squad for the World Cup is split between 19 forwards and 14 backs, and will be co-captained by the aforementioned Will Skelton and Tate McDermott