Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has confirmed the squad that will tackle the Lions next month © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Beale grateful for Lions opportunity

News: Wallabies draft in Morahan

News: Quade Cooper's omission 'own goal'

Features: Robbies Deans seeks 'fawns, acolytes'

News: ARU doing wrong by Beale - Cannon

Picture Gallery: Wallabies squad to play British & Irish Lions

Australia coach Robbie Deans has confirmed the final six places in his squad to face the British & Irish Lions later this month and confirmed Reds lock James Horwill as his captain.

Western Force flanker/lock Hugh McMeniman Rebels fly-half/fullback Kurtley Beale, Reds winger Digby Ioane, Brumbies centre Pat McCabe, Brumbies forward Peter Kimlin and Brumbies prop Scott Sio have linked up with the rest of the Wallabies squad to prepare for the three-Test series that kicks off in Brisbane on June 22.

As expected, there is no place for Reds fly-half Quade Cooper while Rebels scrum-half Luke Burgess and Reds hooker James Hanson have also failed to secure a spot in Deans' plans but the latter duo will remain with the squad this week as training cover.

Horwill, who steered the Wallabies to the 2011 Tri-Nations crown, reclaims the captaincy for the first time in almost two years having recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him last season.

McCabe and McMeniman proved their fitness for selection during last weekend's Super Rugby action while Beale and Ioane were all involved in some capacity during last week's preliminary squad training camp in Sydney.

Kimlin, who has been a mainstay for the Brumbies and finished last Friday night's win over the Melbourne Rebels as captain of the side, gained his call up after playing the only two Tests of his career to date against Italy at Canberra and Melbourne in 2009.

The sixth new addition is the uncapped Brumbies prop Scott Sio,who is one of four uncapped players in the squad, has impressed during his full rookie Super Rugby season with the Australian conference winners.

His prowess, working alongside Wallaby front-rowers Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander and Dan Palmer at the Brumbies, was first recognised by his inclusion at the last of the three pre-international season logistics camps.

"Scott has had a remarkable year," said Deans. "While he is still developing his game, his work rate around the field, impact in contact and in defence, and the raw power he brings to his set piece indicated to us that he was ready to get underway."

Wallabies squad to face British & Irish Lions

• Props: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), James Slipper (Reds).
• Hookers: Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Saia Faingaa (Reds).
• Locks: Kane Douglas (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds, captain), Hugh McMeniman (Force), Rob Simmons (Reds).
• Backrowers: Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Liam Gill (Reds), Peter Kimlin (Brumbies), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Ben Mowen (Brumbies), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs).
• Half-backs: Will Genia (Reds), Nick Phipps (Rebels).
• Five-eighths: Kurtley Beale (Rebels), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), James O'Connor (Rebels).
• Centres: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Pat McCabe (Brumbies).
• Wingers: Nick Cummins (Force), Digby Ioane (Reds), Joe Tomane (Brumbies).
• Fullbacks: Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), Israel Folau (Waratahs).

Deans insisted the selection of the final places in the squad hadn't been easy, being further complicated by additional injuries - most notably to the Brumbies scrum-half Nic White and prop Dan Palmer. The in-form No.9 White, who started off as the Brumbies captain during last Friday's win over the Rebels and had attended last week's Wallabies training camp in Sydney, sustained a small fracture in his shoulder during the early stages of that match which has ruled him out for three to four weeks.

"Ultimately it's come down to the balance of the group. And there has been a 'ripple effect' so to speak, with the decisions made in some areas having repercussions in others," Deans said.

Beale's versatility, having proven himself at Test level at both fullback and fly-half, won his place, with Deans insisting he had no concerns as to either the players' physical state or mental well-being despite his limited on-field preparation as he has attended to off-field issues. While the process of counselling for alcohol-related issues is on-going, Deans doesn't believe it is a distraction for either Beale or the team.

Deans has been closely involved with the player through both the counselling process and his physical maintenance during this period, and does not believe it is too soon for Beale to re-enter the national side. "We know what Kurtley is capable of in this arena. He showed that as recently as last year's Spring Tour when he performed outstandingly and led the team from fly-half in adverse circumstances against many of the opposition players we now face again," he said.

"His work last week during the first camp supported our contention that it was not too soon for him to get started again, from either a physical or a mental stand point. His physical state is a testament, both to how hard he has worked, but also his desire to get started again."

Deans insists the decision to include Beale, was not taking lightly and was supported by those involved in his counselling programme. It is also supported by the successful reintroduction the Bulldogs rugby league fullback Ben Barba made to the NRL earlier this year after undertaking a similar off-field counselling programme as that Beale has completed.

McCabe's inclusion adds another experienced midfield hand to counter the Lions' massive backline, with the hard-running Brumbies inside centre having acted as both a member of the team's leadership group and as its defensive rock in recent seasons.

Ioane's attendance at last week's camp allowed medical staff to assess the progress on the rehabilitation of his right knee following surgery, clearing the way for his involvement, with a return date to be determined as his training load increases.

Kimlin returns to the Wallabies after a four-year absence, offering versatility to the forward unit having featured at lock, the blindside flank and No.8 in Super Rugby this year.

For McMeniman, who made a successful return from a shoulder injury last Sunday in Perth; selection rewards his decision to return to Australia and Super Rugby this year after four years playing in Japan.

The versatility of the hard-nosed 29-year-old, who has played 21 Tests, has helped vault the lock-blindside flanker into the squad after the Wallabies lost the injured Sitaleki Timani and Scott Higginbotham from these positions in the penultimate round of Super Rugby action prior to the start of the Test series.

Deans, who capped McMeniman on nine occasions prior to his departure for Japan at the end of 2008, said his return to the national side should offer encouragement for other Australian players based overseas to not give up on another shot at the Wallabies if they return home.

One who fits into that category is the 37-Test scrum-half Burgess, who last Friday resumed his Australian career after two seasons with the glamour French Top 14 club Toulouse, by appearing as a replacement for the Rebels during their loss in Canberra.

The decision to train Burgess and Hanson alongside the squad acts as insurance in case of injuries in these specialist positions during the Test series.

"Not only will it help us prepare, it gets them started in case we need them, either against the Lions or down the track in the Rugby Championship," Deans said. "Certainly our recent experience with injury highlights the need to prepare with extensive cover to ensure relatively seamless change should it be required."