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Houston and Naiyaravoro heading home to link up with Wallabies

Taqele Naiyaravoro scores for the Waratahs. (Photo: A Knight)
26th May, 2016
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Backrower Leroy Houston and winger Taqele Naiyaravoro are set to confirm they’ve cut short stints at British clubs to join the Wallabies squad for next month’s Tests against England.

Australia’s squad for the three-Test series against the Six Nations champions will be announced in Brisbane at 1.30pm AEST on Thursday.

It’s understood that 29-year-old Houston will be named, 11 years after then-Wallabies coach and current England boss Eddie Jones called the New Zealand-born forward into the national squad before he had even made his Super Rugby debut.

Wallabies squad for England series

Houston has one more season left on his contract with English Premiership club Bath, but is set to reveal he’ll move back to Australia to re-join the Queensland Reds – where he played between 2008-11 – and chase a Wallabies debut.

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With the Wallabies down a number of wingers – Joe Tomane and Henry Speight are injured and France-based Drew Mitchell and Adam Ashley-Cooper are not expected to be called upon – Naiyaravoro is a good chance to add to his one Test cap.

The Fijian-born Naiyaravoro has two more years on his deal with Scottish club Glasgow but is believed to have activated a get-out clause to return to the NSW Waratahs.

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Glasgow lost their Pro 12 semi-final to Connacht last weekend, leaving the 24-year-old available for the Wallabies.

Queensland halfback Nick Frisby’s strong form is set to earn him a call-up as Nick Phipps’ deputy, while his Reds teammate Samu Kerevi and Western Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty are also in the frame for the squad, which may be as large as 32 players.

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