The Wallabies announced a full strength lineup to play Japan in the opening Rugby World Cup 2007 Pool B match in Lyon.

With almost 800 Test caps on board, the Wallabies starting lineup contains eleven players with previous Rugby World Cup experience.

Seventy-three-Test fullback Chris Latham will make his first appearance in the Wallabies starting XV this year, while his Queensland teammate Berrick Barnes has won a place on the reserves bench.

Latham returned for the final Tri Nations Test against New Zealand in July and played the final 35 minutes of the match however the veteran custodian, who turns 32 on Saturday, will complete his comeback from a knee reconstruction when he runs out in the Wallabies number 15 jersey for the first time in over nine months.

Barnes, the youngest member of the Wallabies World Cup squad at 21, is in line to make his Test debut after being announced as one of three backs on the Australian bench.

In the front row, Waratahs prop Al Baxter has been named at tighthead prop, while Guy Shepherdson will start the match on the reserves bench after a knee injury disrupted his preparations for Saturday's World Cup opener.

Fifty-three-Test winger Lote Tuqiri will also make his return to the played field, named in his customary No.11 jersey after missing the final two matches of Australia's Tri Nations campaign through suspension.

On the reserves bench, Queenslander Hugh McMeniman has won a place as back-up lock, while Brumbies utility Stephen Hoiles has clinched the reserve back row position.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly has afforded himself ample cover in the outside backs, with versatile duo Drew Mitchell and Mark Gerrard making up the final two positions on the bench.

Stirling Mortlock will captain Australia for the first time in a Rugby World Cup match and will be assisted by two vice captains in 134-Test veteran George Gregan and flanker George Smith.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly said it was important to field his strongest team for the opening match of the tournament.

"We had always planned to play our strongest team for our first two pool matches," said Connolly.

"We want to build towards the Wales match (in Cardiff next Saturday) with a strong performance on Saturday and we will get a good opportunity to do that against Japan."

Connolly said the traditional four forwards and three backs split on the reserves bench suited his side for the opening match.

"We thought it gave us the best balance this week and it's a wonderful opportunity for Berrick (Barnes) to get a taste of Test rugby and gain some experience in a World Cup," he said.

"He has fitted into the team exceptionally well and deserves his opportunity in the 22."

Australia:
Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom, George Smith (vc), Wycliff Palu, George Gregan (vc), Stephen Larkham, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock (c), Adam Ashley-Cooper, Chris Latham

Replacements:
Adam Freier, Guy Shepherdson, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Hoiles, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard

Japan:
1. Masahito Yamamoto, 2. Taku Inokuchi, 3. Ryo Yamamura, 4. Takanori Kumagae, 5. Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei, 6. Yasunori Watanabe, 7. Takamichi Sasaki (c), 8. Hajime Kiso, 9. Yuki Yatomi, 10. Kosei Ono, 11. Hirotoki Onozawa, 12. Nataniela Oto,
13. Koji Taira, 14. Tomoki Kitagawa, 15. Tatsuya Kusumi

Replacements:
16. Yuji Matsubara, 17. Tomokazu Soma, 18. Hitoshi Ono, 19. Hare Makiri, 20. Tomoki Yoshida, 21. Bryce Robins, 22. Kosuke Endo