PADUA, Italy (AP) — Adam Ashley-Cooper will start his first test for Australia in more than two years as one of seven changes to the team to face Italy on Saturday.
It will be Ashley-Cooper's 117th test, making him Australia's third-most capped player.
The Wallabies lost to Wales 9-6 last weekend, their eighth loss in 11 games.
Coach Michael Cheika also handed debuts to fullback Jordan Petaia and scrumhalf Jake Gordon on Thursday.
The 18-year-old Petaia will become the third-youngest Australia debutant, behind Brian Ford and James O'Connor.
Italy captain Sergio Parisse is still struggling with a calf problem and will miss Saturday's match and next week's game against New Zealand.
He was injured in September and returned to play for Stade Francais two weeks ago, but the 35-year-old Parisse was again sidelined for Italy's 28-17 victory over Georgia last weekend.
"I'm disappointed I can't offer my contribution," he said. "I can't wait for the Six Nations (in February) to be able to return to wearing the Italy shirt."
Parisse, Italy's most capped player with 134 appearances, said he would be in the stands in Rome's Stadio Olimpico to watch the Nov. 24 match against New Zealand.
Coach Conor O'Shea has made one change to the team which beat Georgia, with Jayden Hayward returning from injury. The fullback replaces Benetton Treviso teammate Luca Sperandio.
Abraham Steyn continues to deputize for Parisse at No. 8, while hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini keeps the captain's armband.
"We have worked well ... we know that if we play our best rugby we can put them in difficulty," O'Shea said. "Against Georgia we got an important win, but our focus since last Sunday has only been on our next opponents."
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Lineups:
Italy: Jayden Hayward, Tommaso Benvenuti, Michele Campagnaro, Tommaso Castello, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Allan, Tito Tebaldi; Abraham Steyn, Jake Polledri, Sebastian Negri, Dean Budd, Alessandro Zanni, Simone Ferrari, Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain), Andrea Lovotti. Reserves: Luca Bigi, Cherif Traore, Tiziano Pasquali, Marco Fuser, Johan Meyer, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Luca Morisi.
Australia: Jordan Petaia, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Samu Kerevi, Bernard Foley, Matt Toomua, Jake Gordon; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Jack Dempsey, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio. Reserves: Tatafu Polata-Nau, Jermaine Ainsley, Sekope Kepu, Rory Arnold, Pete Samu, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale, Dane Haylett-Petty.
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