Aug 4 (Reuters) – Australia coach Dave Rennie has recalled flyhalf Quade Cooper and handed a first cap to flanker Jed Holloway after naming his team to face Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener in Mendoza on Saturday.

Cooper missed the 2-1 home series defeat to England last month after he injured his calf in the warm-up ahead of the first test and his return will help to ignite the Wallaby backline against an Argentina defence that was at times too easily picked apart by Scotland in their recent series.

Holloway earns a first cap as he slots in at blindside flanker in a loose trio that also includes captain Michael Hooper and No.8 Rob Valetini.

The 29-year-old Holloway, who missed the England series with a calf problem, is rewarded for good form with the New South Wales Waratahs following a spell in Japan. However, he might not be the only debutant with prop Matt Gibbon poised earn his first cap off the bench.

“We’ve had a strong week of preparation in Argentina and we are highly motivated to put on a performance that makes our supporters proud back home,” Rennie said in a statement from Rugby Australia.

“It’s an extremely special occasion for Jed, Matt and their families and it’s up to the rest of us to make sure it’s a positive memory on their test debuts.”

The rest of the starting forward pack contains locks Matt Philip and Darcy Swain, who is back from suspension, and a front row of props Allan Ala’alatoa and James Slipper, as well as hooker Folau Fainga’a.

Scrumhalf Nic White partners Cooper in the half backs, while Hunter Paisami, in for the injured Samu Kerevi, and Len Ikitau are the centre pairing.

Wing Jordan Petaia is back after a concussion absence with Marika Koroibete on the opposite side, but there is a surprise at fullback with Tom Wright to start his first game in the number 15 jersey having impressed in cameos against England.

Team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Jordan Petaia, 13-Len Ikitau, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Jed Holloway*, เอ็กทีเอ็ก788 5-Matt Philip, 4-Darcy Swain, 3-Allan Ala’alatoa, 2-Folau Fainga’a, 1-James Slipper

Replacements: 16-Lachlan Lonergan, 17-Matt Gibbon*, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Nick Frost, 20-Rob Leota, 21-Pete Samu, 22-Jake Gordan, 23-Reece Hodge.

*uncapped (Reporting by Nick Said)