Rugby: Ioane to return for Wallabies at Twickenham

Digby Ioane will return to the Wallabies for their match with England at Twickenham next weekend.
Digby Ioane will return to the Wallabies for their match with England at Twickenham next weekend.
The Wallabies' most lethal attacking weapon, Digby Ioane, has been given the all clear to make his return against England on Saturday week after getting through his first full training session of the European tour in Paris.

Ioane, who is returning from a knee injury, produced a strong hitout on Thursday, much to the delight of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"He's good. He trained fully today for the first time with the group ... contact included and he came through it well. He'll be available next week," Deans said in Paris.

Destructive winger Ioane hasn't played since Australia's 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario last month.

Ioane's return will be a huge boost for the Wallabies who are also expecting to have champion flanker David Pocock (knee) and winger Drew Mitchell (ankle) available to make their long-awaited returns from injury while second-rower Sitaleki Timani (hamstring) is also in the frame for a Twickenham return.

Deans will be spoilt for choice when he sits down to pick his team for the England clash and it's something he's relishing after enduring a nightmare run with injuries recently which has included stars Will Genia and Jame O'Connor.

"It's a strange feeling. I haven't had to make these choices for a while ... it's good," he said.

Australia open their European tour against France on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).

Wallabies team to take on France: 15-Mike Harris, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Ben Tapuai, 12-Pat McCabe, 11-Nick Cummins, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Nick Phipps, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Dave Dennis, 5-Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4-Kane Douglas, 3-Sekope Kepu, 2-Tatafu Polota Nau, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Stephen Moore, 17-James Slipper, 18-Paddy Ryan, 19-Rob Simmons, 20-Radike Samo, 21-Liam Gill, 22-Brett Sheehan, 23-Berrick Barnes.

 

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