Four new faces, including the second youngest Wallaby ever, headline the announcement of Robbie Dean's Australian team for the six-match year-end tour to Europe.

The Western Force's teenage sensation James O'Connor could become Australia's second youngest Wallaby during the tour.

The 18-year-old is joined in the 34-man touring party by fellow new caps David Pocock (Western Force openside flank), Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper and Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu.

Reds wing Digby Ioane and Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm also return after being omitted from Australia's squad for the recently concluded Tri-Nations series.

The six-match tour, which includes Tests against New Zealand, Italy, England, France and Wales as well as a match against the Barbarians, marks the 100th anniversary of the first Wallaby tour of the United Kingdom in 1908.

Flank Rocky Elsom and lock Dan Vickerman were ruled out of selection after deciding to head off-shore, but the rest of the playing roster from the Tri-Nations has been retained.

This includes scrumhalf Luke Burgess, inside centre Berrick Barnes, wing Lote Tuqiri and number eight Wycliff Palu — who all ended that tournament on the injured list.

Burgess and Barnes are expected to join the team when it assembles for a series of four training camps in Sydney next month.

The fitness of Palu, who strained the medial ligament in his knee against the All Blacks two weeks ago, and Tuqiri, who underwent minor knee surgery last week, will be assessed closer to the time of the Wallabies' departure for Hong Kong.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans is confident both players will be fit to take their places on the tour.

The Wallabies leave for Hong Kong, and the first leg of the tour against the All Blacks, on Monday October 27.

The retention of all of the players who were available from the Tri-Nations reflects a desire to build on the foundations that were laid earlier in the year, Deans says.

"While we were obviously disappointed to fall short in the final game of the Tri-Nations, we had worked hard, in terms of putting ourselves into a position where we could win that tournament," Deans said.

"The task now is to push forward with our development as a team on what will be a challenging tour. It is a great opportunity for us as a group. The players who were involved [in the Tri-Nations] have earned the right to continue with the work that they have started."

Deans said the introduction of four new caps, following on from the eight players who made their debuts earlier in the year, will broaden the depth of Australian rugby.

"There is a development aspect to some of the selections we have made," Deans acknowledged.

This was especially a factor in the selection of O'Connor, Deans said.

At 18 years and 80 days, O'Connor should become the second youngest player ever to play for Australia when he first takes the field.

The youngest ever Wallaby was Queensland wing Brian Ford, who was 18 years and 90 days when he appeared against New Zealand at Brisbane in 1957.

A product of Brisbane's Nudgee College, O'Connor played for the Australian Schools last year before being secured by the Western Force, for whom he made his Super 14 debut against the Reds, in April.

The teenager completed his freshman Super rugby campaign with four caps to his name, before adding to his experience on the Force's recent development tour of the United Kingdom.

"James' inclusion at this juncture is not a decision we have made lightly," Deans said.

"He is a young man with a bright future. We believe he is good to go in terms of starting his development as an international player. Obviously, his is a special circumstance. He has been included primarily to learn his trade, but we believe he has a lot to offer now, and will only build on that with the experience he will gain in our environment during the next two months."

The other new caps had all been on the radar since the Super 14, Deans said.

Cooper and Pocock were not considered for the Wallaby squad earlier in the year, instead being released to attend the Under-20 World Cup in Wales. Pocock captained the Australian squad at that tournament.

Kepu, who is a former New Zealand age-group representative, made his debut for the Waratahs earlier in the year, appearing four times in the Super 14.

A former number eight the 22-year-old attended the same High School as rugby legend Jonah Lomu, South Auckland's Wesley College.

Kepu converted to the front row three years ago, and performed strongly for Australia A during the Pacific Nations Cup tournament. He has also acted as propping cover for the Wallabies at training during various stages in the domestic season.

Australian squad:

Forwards: Ben Alexander, Alistair Baxter, Richard Brown, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Adam Freier, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Hugh McMeniman, Dean Mumm, Stephen Moore, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Phil Waugh.

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (captain), James O'Connor, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner.

Wallabies tour itinerary:
Saturday, November 1: v New Zealand, Hong Kong
Saturday, November 8: v Italy, Padova
Saturday, November 15: v England, London (Twickenham)
Saturday, November 22: v France, Paris
Saturday, November 29: v Wales, Cardiff
Wednesday, December 3: v Barbarians, London (Wembley)

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