James Sleeper: Australia prop makes surprising retirement U-turn

Veteran Australian prop James Sleeper has retired from international rugby and is in the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Nations Championship.

The 37-year-old, who has won 151 Test caps, the third-highest tally in history, Initially called during his Wallabies career in October.

However, doubts about depth behind first-choice loosehead Angus Bell prompted coach Joe Schmidt to persuade the slipper to return to the fold.

“It cost me a coffee,” joked Schmidt, who will hand over to the Queensland Reds’ Les Keys after July’s matches against Ireland, France and Italy.

“There’s an old dog … great to lean on and he’s a known quantity and leader on the team, which we lacked a little bit last season (after the injury).”

Sleeper said the possibility of playing in a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 was now part of his plans.

“I’ll put my hand up if there’s any reason for me to be there for the World Cup, but there’s a couple of things that have to happen,” Sleeper said.

“I’ve got to earn it. I’ve got to play well, and I’ve got to be a better option than any other loogie in the country at the time… but yeah, if I’m still playing for the Brumbies, and the team needs me, I’ll put my hand up for the World Cup.”

Exeter duo Tom Hooper and Len Ikitau have been included in the squad, while uncapped Declan Meredith is a contender at fly-half, with Tom Lynagh injured and Ten Edmed out of convenience.

Noah Lolesio, who was set to face the British and Irish Lions before suffering a neck injury last summer, has been left out after joining the second-tier Japanese side. Australia’s policy is a preference for domestic players rather than outright restrictions on foreign alternatives.

Carter Gordon, who returned to union from rugby league earlier in the season, and the versatile Ben Donaldson are the other fly-halves in the squad.

Second-row Will Skelton and scrum-half Jack Gordon remain out through injury, with Western Force’s Jack Lomax also ruled out as he nurses a calf strain.

Lomax’s fellow code-crossers Angus Crichton and former Wallaby wing Mark Nwakanitawas are yet to complete union moves that will put them in contention for a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Highly-rated teenage backline prospect Trayvon Pritchard has been selected in his stead for Australia’s Under-20 World Championship campaign.