Three new faces for Wallabies

Code-hopper Israel Folau was one of three uncapped players named in Australia's preliminary 25-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions, with in-form Reds playmaker Quade Cooper the most notable omission.

Folau's selection caps a remarkable rise for the former rugby league international after just 12 Super 15 appearances for the Waratahs since switching from AFL at the start of the season. Brumbies captain Ben Mowen and inside centre Christian Lealiifano were the other new faces in the group.

Experienced Brumbies flanker George Smith (knee) and Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (fractured arm) have both been overlooked, opening the door for Reds duo Liam Gill and Saia Fainga'a.

The Australian Rugby Union was prepared to bend the rules for Smith, who is on loan from Japanese club Suntory, to allow the 110-Test veteran to play in his second series against the Lions. But a suspected medial ligament injury threatens to rule him out of the three-Test series.

There was also no room for former John Eales medallist Kurtley Beale or inside centre Pat McCabe (knee injury), with Waratahs midfielder Rob Horne getting the nod in a selection surprise.

Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes made the cut after two impressive performances off the bench upon return from injury, while winger Nick Cummins was the only Western Force player included.

But Cooper's non-selection will be the major talking point in the coming days. Rebels utility James O'Connor is considered the man most likely to wear the number 10 jumper in the first Test in Brisbane on June 22, while Barnes and Lealiifano are also options.

However, Cooper can still play his way into the Wallabies squad, with a further six players to be added on June 11. The 38-Test fly-half still has two Super 15 games and the Reds versus Lions midweek fixture to impress selectors before the final 31 are chosen. Beale could also be a late inclusion despite checking himself into a rehab clinic to deal with alcohol-related issues on Monday.

The top 25 players will play two more rounds of Super 15 before assembling in camp in Sydney on June 2 to begin preparations for the series opener.

Preliminary Australia 25-man squad: Ben Alexander, Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, Saia Fainga'a, Israel Folau, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, James O'Connor, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Joe Tomane.