Australia name two new caps

Australia coach Rod Macqueen yesterday named two new caps in his team to face France at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Bill Young and openside flanker George Smith will make their Test debuts for the world champions in a rematch of last year's World Cup final.

Young secured his position with an impressive performance in a 6413 win over a Japan President's XV last Saturday.

Macqueen has stuck with the team who played in Japan for a game he expects to be among the hardest of a tour that also takes in tests against Scotland and England.

Meanwhile, French winger Christophe Dominici has pulled out and will be replaced by Xavier Garbajosa of Toulouse in the 22man squad.

Wales coach Graham Henry yesterday named three uncapped players in a 22-man squad to face Samoa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday week.

Ebbw Vale forwards, prop Iestyn Thomas and lock Deiniol Jones, together with Swansea second-row forward James Griffiths have won call-ups.

Australia (v France): C Latham; M Burke, D Herbert, S Mortlock, J Roff; R Kafer, S Cordingley; B Young, M Foley, F Dyson, D Griffin, J Eales (captain), M Cockbain, G Smith, T Kefui. Replacements: J Paul, G Panoho, M Connors, J Williams, C Whitaker, E Flatley, N Grey.

Wales Squad (v Samoa): Backs: R Williams (Cardiff), S Williams (Neath), D James (Llanelli), M Taylor (Swansea, capt), A Bateman (Northampton), S Gibbs (Swansea), A Thomas (Swansea), N Jenkins (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff), R Moon (Llanelli). Forwards: A Lewis (Cardiff), G Jenkins (Swansea), I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), S John (Cardiff), B Evans (Swansea), I Gough (Newport), D Jones (Ebbw Vale), J Griffiths (Swansea), N Budgett (Ebbw Vale) or M Williams (Cardiff), C Charvis (Swansea), G Lewis (Swansea), S Quinnell (Llanelli).

Wales XV Squad (v New Zealand): Backs: M Cardey (Llanelli), M Jones (Llanelli), C Morgan (Cardiff), J Robinson (Cardiff), A Marinos (Newport), A Durston (Bridgend), C Warlow (Bridgend), S Jones (Llanelli), G Cooper (Bath), P John (Pontypridd). Forwards: D Morris (Swansea), P Rogers (Cardiff), C Anthony (Swansea), R McBryde (Llanelli, capt), J Humphreys (Cardiff), C Wyatt (Llanelli), A Moore (Swansea), C Stephens (Bridgend), A Popham (Newport), G Thomas (Bath), M Williams (Cardiff), E Lewis (Cardiff).