Wallabies confirm 28-man squad for Barbarians clash

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has confirmed his 28-man squad for Saturday's clash with the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Test veterans James Slipper and Ben McCalman make their long-awaited returns to the Wallabies fold following injury struggles while young Queensland backrower Liam Wright joins the squad for the first time.

Brumbies centre Kyle Godwin and Reds lock Kane Douglas have also forced their way back into the squad, which features seven uncapped players.

Thirteen players from the victory over New Zealand in Brisbane have been rested ahead of next month's tour of Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Wallabies have only played the Barbarians in Australia once before, that back in 2009, when the men in gold ran out 55-7 winners at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

This will be the thirteenth meeting between Australia and the invitational side, and their first since November 2014, in what was also Michael Cheika's first game as Wallabies coach.