Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Full-back
Caps: 0
Former Rugby League international in eye-catching debut season in rugby union has been named in squad after only 11 games in the code. Head coach Robbie Deans said the 24-year-old has been picked not just as a full-back but noting his potential to cover wing Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Wing
Caps: 34
Credentials as a potent finisher and something of a battering ram are undeniable and this will be the last chance to see his talents in a Wallaby jersey for a while as he joins Stade Francais next season, reportedly on a two-year deal worth approximatelly £800,000. Has a portrait of his mother Sia tattooed on his right bicep, one of many adoring his torso Photograph: Stefan Postles/Getty Images
Club: ACT Brumbies
Position: Wing
Caps: 1
The 23-year-old New Zealand-born wing is another rugby league convert, having played for Melbourne Storm and the Gold Coast Titans before switching for the 2012 season. He did play both codes at school in Brisbane, playing in the same Australian Schoolboys team as James O'Connor in union. Won his sole cap so far in terrible conditions in the defeat by Scotland in June 2012. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Club: Western Force
Position: Wing
Caps: 6
The self-styled honey badger (for their ferocity) won his first cap against Argentina in Rosario last year, and went on to play every game in Europe in November, scoring the Wallabies' only try at Twickenham in their defeat of England. Injured in the early part of this Super 15 season, missing seven matches with bruising on the knee Photograph: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Utility back/centre
Caps: 77
The most capped member of Deans' 25-man squad is arguably its most versatile but has been excelling in the No13 shirt for the Waratahs this season. In the 2011 World Cup, astonishingly, Ashley Cooper played every minute of every game for the Wallabies, the only player of any nation to do so at the tournament Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Centre
Caps: 14
Seen as a potential antidote to the Lions' midfield physicality after a successful switch into the inside centre position this Super 15 season. Missed the tour of the northern hemisphere last November with a hamstring injury and suffered an eye problem in match against the Brumbies on eve of selection Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
Club: ACT Brumbies
Position: Centre/fly-half
Caps: 0
Second of trio of uncapped players in Deans' initial squad who like Berrick Barnes can play at No10, 12 or 15 with confidence. The 25-year-old has missed out on call-ups in recent seasons due to injury, a knee injury in 2010 and a dislocated ankle in 2012 Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Centre/fly-half
Caps: 50
Inspired a timely comeback for his team against the Brumbies the day before the squad was announced. Multi-talented footballer who took his chance to reclaim fly-half position with Quade Cooper injured for the tour of Europe last year. Has largely been seen by Deans as an inside centre and his goal-kicking ability will help his cause should James O'Connor struggle Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Club: Melbourne Rebels
Position: Fly-half
Caps: 37
Reportedly the first choice to start at fly-half for the Wallabies despite winning only one of his 37 caps in that position and lacking experience of game management in the position. The addition of physicality to his footballing instincts and footwork are understood to have given him the nod over Quade Cooper. Won his first cap aged only 18 in 2008 Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Scrum-half
Caps: 41
Only scrum-half selected in the initial 25 is also being tipped to captain the team over the lock James Horwill, his captain at the Reds. Genia's experience, distribution skills and ability to control the game at Test level makes him Deans' most important player Photograph: Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: No8
Caps 46
Strong running back-row of Tongan descent has been plagued by injury in recent seasons. No 30, he won his first cap back in 2006 but is the incumbent Test No8 and will be looking to defend that position having returned following an ankle injury earlier in the Super 15 season. Has history with Lions full-back Rob Kearney after being yellow carded in 2009 for a contested shoulder charge on the Ireland player Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Openside flanker
Caps 13
The incumbent open side who won plaudits in last year's tour of Europe had been little mentioned in the run-up with the veteran George Smith, who injured his knee over the weekend, and the Reds' Liam Gill being most talked about. Whoever takes the No7 jersey will be scrutinised mercilessly in comparison to the injured David Pocock Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Openside flanker
Caps: 8
Still only 20, has been tipped as long-term successor to Pocock, having made his debut last August against New Zealand. Another pilferer on the floor, he is also seen as more of a linkman than his rival Hooper Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Club: Melbourne Rebels
Position: Flanker/No8
Caps: 23
Has been in superb form this season as a player and stand-in captain for Gareth Delve, scoring five tries so far. Would have qualified for Fiji via his mother, but won his first cap for the Wallabies in 2010 in a thumping defeat of France. Banned for two Tests last October for striking the All Blacks' Richie McCaw Photograph: Mal Fairclough/AFP/Getty Images
Club: ACT Brumbies
Position: Flanker/No8:Caps 0
Brumbies captain is final uncapped member of the squad, having won selection for his leadership skills and ball carrying around the park having bulked up over the past season to improve his power. Now 28, Mowen has been playing Super Rugby since 2006 but is credited with playing the best rugby of his career under former South Africa World Cup winning coach, Jake White Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Lock
Caps: 23
Tipped as a future star by none other than John Eales, due to his size, speed and ball handling, Simmons won his first cap in 2010, having made his debut for the Reds the previous year. Banned for a tip tackle on Yannick Nyanga in Australia's defeat by France last year Photograph: AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Lock
Caps: 35
The Wallabies' captain in the 2011 World Cup, Horwill was expected to be the pick to lead Australia against the Lions, although Will Genia is now also in the running. Horwill has channelled his fiery nature since he made his debut for Australia back in 2007 and matured into his role as captain of the Reds. Missed all the Rugby Championship and the European tour in 2012 with a long-term hamstring injury Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Lock
Caps: 10
The 26-year-old Tongan-born lock made his Wallaby debut in 2011. Known for his strong presence in the scrum and in contact rather than catching the eye in the lineout Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Flanker
Caps: 15
The Waratahs captain's versatility means he offers a strong lineout option, like Tom Croft for the Lions. The 27-year-old initially struggled with injury to cement himself into Super 15 plans rapid progress from 2011 saw him capped for the first time against Scotland in 2012 Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Prop
Caps: 34
The tight head prop, who can play both sides of the scrum is known for his mobility as well as his scrummaging. Made his debut aged just 21 in June 2010 against England in Australia Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Club: ACT Brumbies
Position: Prop
Caps: 48
Another tight-head by preference, although props on the loose head side for the Brumbies, Alexander has been Deans' preferred starter on that side of the scrum. Started his first Test in 2008 before starting his first game of Super Rugby Photograph: Stefan Postles/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Prop
Caps: 56
Only the third Australian prop to pass 50 caps, Robinson has been one of the core members of the front-row during Deans' tenure as they tried to shore up what had been seen as an area of weakness for the Wallabies. Missed the World Cup due to a torn cruciate Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Club: NSW Waratahs
Position: Prop
Caps: 23
The loose head took his chance when Robinson was injured but is expected to provide cover from the bench. Kepu, who played junior rugby in New Zealand, was born in Sydney and made his Wallaby debut in 2008 Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Club: ACT Brumbies
Position: Hooker
Caps: 76
With regular starter Tatafu Polota-Nau having broken his arm, Moore's experience will be vital for the Wallabies. The 30-year-old who spent his early years in Ireland, scored on his first start for Australia against Scotland in 2006 Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Club: Queensland Reds
Position: Hooker
Caps: 18
Born in New South Wales, Faingaa came out of the Brumbies academy, before moving to the Reds, along with his twin, Anthony, a centre, three seasons ago. The elder of the two brothers - who have a joint twitter handle - Saia is known for his full-on defence. Younger brother Colby plays open side flanker for the Brumbies Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
