Mumm back in Wallabies squad

By Mark Stevens

Former Exeter Chiefs skipper Dean Mumm is back in an Australia squad for the first time since 2012 after he was today named in Michael Cheika's latest 40-man party ahead of the Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Brisbane on 18 July..

Mumm has been joined in Cheika's plans by Toulon duo Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau who have been called up under the Australian Rugby Union's foreign policy rule.

The 31-year-old, , who departed Sandy Park back in May following three hugely successful seasons in Devon, is back with former club NSW Waratahs in a bid to be part of the Wallabies ahead of this autumn's Rugby World Cup in England.

Mumm featured in three Super Rugby clashes on his return, but was ineligible for the Waratahs as they lost out to the Highlanders in last weekend's semi-final encounter in Sydney.

The Aussie squad will assemble this Sunday for a one-week camp on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, training out of Sunshine Coast Stadium.

“The extended squad gives the new coaching staff a great opportunity to observe and test some new combinations,” said Cheika. “Off the field, this group has been working very hard, I am very pleased for our new players entering the Wallabies environment.

“We are fortunate enough to see some experience enter the squad from both Super Rugby and overseas. It is important we get them connected to the Wallabies culture as soon as possible.

“We are expecting a pretty physical week ahead in Caloundra and we will look to shave down the squad closer to Test week when we arrive in Brisbane to take on the Springboks.”

Mumm, who has previously won 33 caps for his country, knows if he makes the World Cup squad he could well be facing a number of his old Sandy Park team-mates as Australia have been grouped with England in Pool A.