Two players have been released by the Wallabies to play for the Reds against the British & Irish Lions next Wednesday.

The Wallabies posted on social media that hooker Matt Faessler and centre Hunter Paisami would return to Brisbane to prepare with the Reds.

The move follows Lions chief Ben Calveley demanding that top Australian players appear for their Super Rugby sides in ensure competitive warm-up matches to their three-Test series.

But six other Reds players remain with the Wallabies extended squad as they prepare for a one-off Test against Fiji in 6 July, including Reds captain Tate McDermott.

Calveley told reporters their agreement with Rugby Australia was “very clear”.

“It says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series. That is our expectation,” he said.

The Lions open their nine-game tour against the Force in Perth on Saturday.

The Force are set to field five Wallabies – Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White – who have all been released from Wallabies training in Sydney.

But teammates Carlo Tizzano, Ben Donaldson, Jeremy Williams and Harry Potter have been retained in camp by Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.

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Schmidt is keen to avoid key players picking up injuries ahead of the Test series, which starts in Brisbane on 19 July.

It remains to be seen whether he releases players for Lions clashes against the Waratahs and Brumbies ahead of the opening Test.

© Agence France-Presse

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