Wallabies confirm first Test XV

Ben Mowen, Christian Leali’ifano and Israel Folau will all make their international debuts for Ausralia after being named in Robbie Deans’ starting XV to face the British & Irish Lions in the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.
Brumbies duo Leali’ifano and Mowen will make their first bow from inside centre and blindside while rugby league convert Folau is on the right wing.
As leaked on Wednesday to the Australian press, James O’Connor and Will Genia form the half-backs partnership with Berrick Barnes at full-back and Kurtley Beale on the bench.
James Horwill will captain the side from lock while his Reds teammate Digby Ioane has recovered in time from a knee surgery and will start on the left wing in front of their home crowd.
Australia: Berrick Barnes; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Digby Ioane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander; James Horwill (Capt.), Kane Douglas; Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Kurtley Beale.