Israel Folau to be an unknown quantity for British and Irish Lions when they play Wallabies

HE may be a household name in Australia but Israel Folau says comparative anonymity in world rugby could help him shock the British and Irish Lions.

HE may be a household name in Australia but Israel Folau says comparative anonymity in world rugby could help him shock the British and Irish Lions when they arrive in June.

After just 13 games of professional rugby, Folau was yesterday named by Robbie Deans in the Wallabies' first 25-man squad for the Lions series; one of three uncapped players alongside Brumbies stars Ben Mowen and Christian Lealiifano.

Plenty of points of interests popped up in the squad announcement including only one halfback being named and injuries ruling out George Smith and Tatafu Polota-Nau.

But the absence of Quade Cooper dominated the wash-up, which no doubt suited Folau perfectly.

Former English star winger and fellow code switcher Jason Robinson recently told The Daily Telegraph he believed Folau could follow the same hidden route he took to a sizzling opening game for the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane in 2001.

MCKENZIE HITS BACK OVER QUADE SNUB

A recent convert from league, an unfazed Robinson said he didn't know the Wallabies players and they didn't know him; or at least until after he skinned Chris Latham to score after five minutes of a first Test victory.

Robinson warned Lions fans Folau could be the same hidden dangerman given the brevity of his time in rugby, and with his NRL and AFL feats effectively unknown in Europe.

"There could be a lot of positives out of that situation, for sure," Folau agreed. "For me personally, I don't know a lot of the rugby players that play in the British and Irish side, and they probably would not know much about me either.

"What Jason Robinson said, he might be right about a few things there, which would be good."

SEE THE SQUAD HERE

Folau gave his view before his place in the squad became official, which came via a welcome phone call from Deans at the weekend.

The 24-year-old was named alongside Berrick Barnes as one of the squad's two fullbacks.

"Israel has done well. At the front end of the year I would have suggested it may have been a step too far, particularly with his lack of positional experience. But the fact he's been playing fullback has helped him," Deans said.

"He's been in the perfect place in having to pick up on the dynamics of the game, and also the scope, the licence it's given him to find ways to inject himself into the game."

Deans said Folau could end up on the wing, with Barnes and potentially Kurtley Beale still in the mix to be among one of six final players added to the squad on June 10. Jesse Mogg, an early favourite for fullback who missed out yesterday, also remains a chance to be added, Deans said.

Deans rewarded form across most positions, with ACT No.12 Lealiifano finally getting a delayed Wallabies call-up and Waratahs centre Rob Horne picked as a direct midfield option. The choice between the pair will be telling in Deans' thinking on a game style.

Also rewarded for making "good, consistent strides" was ACT backrower Mowen, one of four state captains picked (and three in the back-row alone with Dave Dennis and Scott Higginbotham).

James Horwill's captaincy was not confirmed but Deans said it was just a delayed announcement until June 10.

Deans said Pat McCabe (knee) and Hugh McMeniman (shoulder) were both still on the radar, and that players from all franchises not selected could not only still push their way into the final 31-man squad, they could grab Test spots as well.

"The 25 will clearly make up the nucleus but nothing is set in stone."

Wallabies squad: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, Saia Faingaa, Israel Folau, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, Jame O'Connor, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Sitaleki Timani, Joe Tomane.