Leroy Houston set to make Australia debut

Bath number eight Leroy Houston is set to make his debut for the Wallabies in the upcoming Rugby Championship encounter against Springboks after he was named on the bench.

The 29-year-old was called as a replacement for injured Sean McMahon on Monday during his four-month loan period with Bath.

Houston, joined Queensland Reds in 2016, following his three-year stint with Bath but The Recreation Ground based club sought the services of the number eight on a short-term following injuries to Taulupe Faletau and David Denton.

Head coach Michael Cheika has named Dean Mumm at blindside while Lopeti Timani will start at number eight. Bernard Foley will be seen at inside centre with Quade Cooper being the designated fly-half.

"I think once he gets used to the southern way again, he'll be a real contender," Cheika said on Monday.

"The one thing Leroy is, is a very good footballer. He understands the game, he's a traditional No.8.

"We've mixed and matched in that position over the past year or so.

"He's definitely a player I'm looking at, not just this year but going forward for the next couple of years as well."

Meanwhile, Cheika has also preferred young prop Tom Robertson instead of the experienced James Slipper as he believes Australia are undergoing a "generational change".

"It's definitely a tough call for James," said Cheika, after omitting 27-year-old Slipper from the match squad to face Argentina.

"But we're really trying to be diligent around rebuilding the team, with the discipline and detail of everyone's role.

"Other players have missed out because of that and discussing with James he needs to improve parts of his game that aren't up to the standards that he has.

"I want him to go beyond those standards that he's set for himself in the past.

"And sometimes that's going to create a contest with young players coming up behind you.

"Tom has played loosehead in the past. We need to have a flipper in there as well, a prop who can play both sides.

"We feel he's a player who can fill that role so we've been working towards that.

"I don't think Tom Robertson would have imagined he would be ahead of James Slipper at the start of the year."

A win for Argentina with a bonus point and a denial of points for Australia can see Cheika's men end last in the Rugby Championship.