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James Horwill recalled to Australia squad for England series

James Horwill of Harlequins looks dejected after the Aviva Premiership defeat to Northampton
Image: James Horwill has been recalled by Australia after a fine season with Harlequins

Former captain James Horwill has been recalled to the Australia training squad for the forthcoming Tests against England.

Rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt is also included among 10 uncapped players.

Veteran lock Horwill was a shock omission from the Wallabies' World Cup squad but has had a fine season with Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership and earned a recall.

He is one of four inclusions who play their rugby overseas along with No 8 Leroy Houston of Bath and Glasgow wing Taqele Naiyaravoro - who are both returning to Australia - and Bordeaux prop Sekope Kepu.

Queensland Reds' Hunt was last year banned for six weeks and fined after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine.

Karmichael Hunt of the Reds evades a tackle
Image: Karmichael Hunt has been named in Australia's squad

Another ex-NRL star Eto Nabuli, now playing for the Reds, also got the nod.

But the experienced Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Will Genia are all missing, either injured or unavailable.

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Leroy Houston of Bath is tackled by Bill Meakes of Gloucester
Image: Leroy Houston on the charge for Bath

They are likely to be back in the frame for the Rugby Championship once rested after a long European season, as are injury-plagued Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua and Henry Speight.

Wasps-bound Kurtley Beale was not considered after knee surgery this month that is expected to sideline him for up to six months.

Glasgow Warriors' Taqele Naiyaravoro on his way to scoring a try
Image: Glasgow Warriors' Taqele Naiyaravoro is one of four overseas players in the squad

Coach Michael Cheika said: "We've been working with an initial squad of 60 players we identified, which has been reduced to 39 for this camp. We'll trim that number down to 30 for each Test, so competition for spots is everything." .

Backs: Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty, Rob Horne, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Luke Morahan, Eto Nabuli, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Adam Coleman, Scott Fardy, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, James Horwill, Leroy Houston, Sekope Kepu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith

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