James Slipper returns to Wallabies for July Nations tests

Veteran prop James Slipper has officially returned to the Wallabies squad, reversing his international retirement to be selected for Australia's opening three Nations Championship matches in July. The 37-year-old, Australia's most-capped player with 151 test appearances, was named in a 37-man squad by coach Joe Schmidt on Friday.

Slipper is joined by three uncapped players: fly-half Declan Meredith, lock Lachlan Shaw, and lock Miles Amatosero. Fellow loosehead prop Angus Bell also returns to the national squad following a season-long stint with Ulster in Ireland. The squad will assemble in Sydney on Wednesday ahead of the first test.

The Wallabies will begin their season against Ireland at a sold-out stadium in Sydney on July 4. They will then face France in Brisbane on July 11 and Italy in Perth on July 18. These matches form part of the inaugural Nations Championship, a new annual competition pitting six southern hemisphere teams against six from the north, with a finals weekend scheduled for London from November 27-29.

Slipper's comeback follows a strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the ACT Brumbies, during which he became the tournament's most-capped player. He retired...