Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu will play his milestone 50th Test for Australia when they take on France at Stade de France on Saturday.
The talented 28-year-old will become just the sixth Australian prop to reach the 50-game milestone – joining a group which includes Ben Alexander (70 games), Benn Robinson and Al Baxter (69 games), James Slipper (60 games) and Ewen McKenzie (51 games).
Kepu will reach the mark in his seventh year of competing at international level, after making his debut against Italy in 2008 – with the honour adding to an already special season which also included winning a maiden Super Rugby title for the Waratahs.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika congratulated Kepu on his achievement.
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“Sekope has been a great player for Australia over a long period of time and I speak for everyone when I congratulate him on this very special milestone,” Cheika said.
“He has proudly represented the Wallabies for seven years and the experience he now brings to this team is invaluable. He still has plenty of improvement in his game and I’m confident his best years of Rugby are ahead of him.”
Kepu’s selection comes as part of a starting line-up which includes just one change to the team which beat Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium at the weekend.
The change sees lock James Horwill come into the starting XV in place of Sam Carter, highlighting the improved depth of the Wallabies’ second row.
The Wallabies bench has yet to be finalised and will be confirmed and announced in the lead-up to the match.
The match is Australia’s third of their five-game year-end tour, and will be followed by matches against Ireland and England.
The Wallabies commenced their year-end tour and the Michael Cheika era with an entertaining 40-36 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham, before toppling Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium.
Wallabies: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali’ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (Captain), 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: TBC
Date: Saturday 15 November
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-Off: 22:00 SA Time (21:00 French Time, 20:00 GMT, 07:00 Sunday AEST)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)