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Matt Giteau has been reportedly granted leave from Toulon and will join the Wallabies camp ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Giteau’s inclusion comes despite a recent dispute with his French club about a release.
Giteau was one of 36 players named in the squad, which includes other overseas-based players such as Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia and Drew Mitchell.
“All of our eligible European-based players expressed a desire to play for the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship and that experience is invaluable,” Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said.
“We have a very clear purpose in this team and we are prepared to work very hard to respect that purpose.”
None of the Brumbies players have joined camp, finishing their Super Rugby campaign just last week in a quarter-final loss to the Highlanders.
With Giteau returning, Christian Lealifano has not been included in that initial training squad.
Flanker Liam Gill is another notable absentee, with the Reds flanker now potentially free to head overseas to join Toulon’s pre-season, while Greg Holmes’s Wallabies days look over, with the Reds veteran released to join Exeter in the Premiership.
Waratahs prop Tom Robertson has been rewarded for his Super Rugby form with inclusion in the 36-man training squad, while June series bolter Reece Hodge has also been given another national shot.
Brumbies lock Rory Arnold has been ruled out of the squad after an elbow injury suffered a fortnight ago, while his club second row partner, Sam Carter has been left out.
The squad will be trimmed in the coming weeks, with the first Bledisloe on August 20 in Sydney.
Initial Wallabies Squad for the Rugby ChampionshipAllan Alaalatoa
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Adam Coleman
Quade Cooper
Kane Douglas
Scott Fardy
Israel Folau
Bernard Foley
Nick Frisby
Will Genia
Matt Giteau
James Hanson
Dane Haylett-Petty
Reece Hodge
Michael Hooper
Rob Horne
Sekope Kepu
Samu Kerevi
Tevita Kuridrani
Ben McCalman
Sean McMahon
Drew Mitchell
Luke Morahan
Stephen Moore (c)
Dean Mumm
Nick Phipps
David Pocock
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Tom Robertson
Rob Simmons
Scott Sio
Will Skelton
James Slipper
Toby Smith
Lopeti Timani
Matt Toomua
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.