If Ireland thought they dodged a bullet by avoiding a match-up against Lance Franklin, they better think again.

Franklin (knee), dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett (shoulder) and Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury (shoulder) were the notable omissions when Australia named their 24-man squad for the November 22 showdown with Ireland in Perth.

Normally a side missing that sort of talent would be a tad vulnerable.

But with Australia only choosing current or former All-Australians for the one-off Test, the squad they’ve compiled bristles with talent, speed, and a burning desire to win.

Nic Naitanui, Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield, Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray represents the next generation of stars.

Brent Harvey, Dustin Fletcher, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Steve Johnson, Nick Riewoldt and Brendon Goddard are the wise old heads, while Joel Selwood and Travis Boak add further firepower.

Australia’s decision to name a squad consisting just of Indigenous players backfired badly last year.

Ireland went on to win the two-Test series by a combined 101 points, with the lop-sided nature of the result putting the future of the International Rules concept in jeopardy.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, who will act as an assistant to Alastair Clarkson during the upcoming series, hopes the quality of the current side will revive a concept that has flagged in recent years.

“The AFL has made a decision to elevate the series to levels it has not been to before,” Lyon said.

“The players have picked up on that and it is really the cream of the competition that has performed at a high level over a long period of time.

“We equated it to the great state of origin series, the great WA teams, the great Victorian and South Australian teams when they used to play that tri-series.

“But what you’ve got here is all of the great players from each state collected in the one team.

“I don’t think you have seen anything like it before, and I’m not sure you’ll see it again.”

Kangaroos veteran Harvey said adjusting to the round ball would be the side’s biggest challenge.

“It’s so hard to kick,” Harvey said.

“We’re all getting sent out a ball.

“There’s a couple of ways to kick the football. We’ll work out the best way to each individual.

“I love playing for Australia and representing my country. Putting on the coat of arms is a great great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”

Australian squad: Grant Birchall, Travis Boak, Luke Breust, Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Fletcher, Nat Fyfe, Brendon Goddard, Robbie Gray, Brent Harvey, Luke Hodge, Kieren Jack, Steve Johnson, Jarrad McVeigh, Sam Mitchell, Leigh Montagna, Nic Naitanui, Nick Riewoldt, Tom Rockliff, Joel Selwood, Brodie Smith, Nick Smith, Harry Taylor, Jobe Watson, Chad Wingard.