Coach Robbie Deans is expected to make at least four changes to the Wallabies’ starting line-up to face Italy in Florence on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
Champion flanker David Pocock, who continues to battle a calf strain, isn’t expected to make his long-awaited return with the in-form Michael Hooper likely to keep the No.7 jumper.
Hooper, who was man of the match in the 20-14 win over England last weekend, has missed a couple of training sessions this week along with captain Nathan Sharpe but they are both expected to face Italy.
The pair are nursing battered bodies after a torrid clash at Twickenham.
Among the expected changes to the side that beat England are winger Drew Mitchell, hooker Stephen Moore, flanker Scott Higginbotham and halfback Brett Sheehan.
The Wallabies team will be announced on Thursday (Friday AEDT).
Moore is tipped to replace Tatafu Polota-Nau at hooker while Mitchell will start on one wing with either of the starters from the England game – Nick Cummins or Digby Ioane – on the other wing.
Cummins has a slight quadriceps strain while Ioane is being eased back from a knee injury after making his return at Twickenham.
Higginbotham, who missed the first two games of the European tour due to suspension, is coming back at No.6 in place of Dave Dennis while Sheehan is expected to take over at halfback from Nick Phipps.
Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu said the team was determined to build on last week’s performance.
“We can’t stress enough how important it is being more consistent. We spoke about it after the England game and how we didn’t want to spend the week patting ourselves on the back,” Palu said.
“We did the job last week but this week is another big match for us. We need to start stringing decent performances together, we can’t slacken off against the Italians.”
Likely Wallabies team (15-1): Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins/Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Drew Mitchell, Kurtley Beale, Brett Sheehan, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.