Australia trim squad to face England

Australian head coach Michael Cheika has excluded six players from the preliminary 39-man squad to face England in a three-Test series in June.

The decision comes after a preparatory camp organised by Cheika in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast last weekend.

Leroy Houston, hooker James Hanson, lock Adam Coleman, flanker Liam Gill and fly-half Joe Powell are the ones excluded while Rebels centre Mike Harris has pulled out a hamstring injury.

Houston, 29, was associated with the English Premiership club Bath for the last three years and now will shift to Super Rugby side Queensland Reds.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Rebels fullback Reece Hodge has been added to the squad as a replacement for Harris and Cheika is confident of the 21-year-old's ability to perform at the international level.

"Reece has really impressed me this week after being thrown into the deep end. It's not just about being in the environment for him now and I know he'll be pushing for selection in the match-day 23," Cheika said.

The squad has a combination of 13 backs and 20 forwards with Harlequins lock James Horwill remaining the only overseas player in the camp.

England's tour of Australia comprises of three Tests with the first game scheduled to be played on 11th June in Brisbane while the remaining two games will be played on 18th and 25th June in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

Australia squad to face England:

Backs: Israel Folau (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Nick Frisby (Reds), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force), Reece Hodge (Rebels), Rob Horne (Waratahs), Karmichael Hunt (Reds), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Luke Morahan (Force), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Waratahs).

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Rory Arnold (Brumbies), Sam Carter (Brumbies), Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Greg Holmes (Reds), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), James Horwill (Harlequins), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Sean McMahon (Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), David Pocock (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Rob Simmons (Reds), Scott Sio (Brumbies), Will Skelton (Waratahs), James Slipper (Reds), Toby Smith (Rebels).