Sean McMahon to replace injured David Pocock for Melbourne Test

Sean McMahon will get a dream first Test start on Saturday at his home ground, as the Rebels loose forward will replace injured David Pocock in the starting XV for this weekend's Melbourne Test.

McMahon is one of the four changes Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has performed to the starting side which is due to face against England at AAMI Park.

Cheika has replaced both props from the first Test, as Scott Sio and Greg Holmes will make way for Sekope Kepu and James Slipper who will join captain Stephen Moore in a new-look front row.

Sio has failed to find himself a place even on the bench after a disappointing Brisbane Test where the Australian scrum was heavily outclassed by the visitors.

Lock Rob Simmons, who sustained a back injury has failed to recover in time paving way for Sam Carter, who will be back in the gold jersey for the first time since June 2015. He will partner Rory Arnold in the second-row for the first time for the Wallabies.

The backline remains unchanged for the Test after it played its part in all the four Wallabies tries scored in Brisbane.

"Based on last weekend's performance, we decided that we wanted some new combinations for Saturday's game. Sean never takes a backwards step while James and Sekope add plenty of Test match experience,” said Cheika.

"Obviously with his [Morahan's] selection, we're looking at a five-three split on the bench as opposed to the six forwards we had last weekend.”

Rebels prop Toby Smith has been named on the bench and might also get an opportunity to play in front of his home crowd.

Number eight Wycliff Palu, whose national career was considered almost over after sustaining a hamstring injury during the 2015 World Cup, is set to return to the Wallabies fold.

Reds flanker Liam Gill, who last played for the Wallabies in their win over Ireland during the 2013 tour, has also marked his return to the side after being named on the bench.

Australia Starting XV: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Toby Smith, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Liam Gill, Nick Frisby, Christian Leali'ifano, Luke Morahan.