Jack Dempsey is set to make his Wallabies debut on Saturday, having been named among four changes to Michael Cheika's bench for the clash with Italy.

The Waratahs backrower comes onto the bench in place of Richard Hardwick, with Tatafu Polota-Nau swapping jerseys with Stephen Moore.

Toby Smith comes back into the 23 with Scott Sio in the starting XV, Tom Robertson missing the squad altogether.

Scott Higginbotham has also missed selection, with Sam Carter the only other change to the bench - swapping spots with teammate Rory Arnold. Sekope Kepu, Joe Powell, Quade Cooper and Reece Hodge all remain on the bench for Saturday's clash.

Wallabies scrum coach Mario Ledesma said both Robertson and Higginbotham were always going to be rotated, to give the majority of the squad a crack through the June series

"Yeah, that was always the idea," Ledesma said.

"We just want to see everybody perform at this level."

Preparations have also been put in place should the Italians employ the no-ruck antics they utilised against England, the team simulating that situation, should it arise, at this morning's captain's run.

"At the same time you can't spend too much time on it," he said.

"We did a little bit but then if they don't do it - if you spend the whole week on it, it's a waste of time."

TEAM

Wallabies team to face Italy

1. Scott Sio (31 Tests)

2. Stephen Moore (c) (119 Tests)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (11 Tests)

4. Rory Arnold (11 Tests)

5. Adam Coleman (11 Tests)

6. Ned Hanigan (2 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (67 Tests)

8. Lopeti Timani (6 Tests)

9. Will Genia (77 Tests)

10. Bernard Foley (44 Tests)

11. Sefa Naivalu (6 Tests)

12. Karmichael Hunt (2 Tests)

13. Rob Horne (33 Tests)

14. Dane Haylett-Petty (16 Tests)

15. Israel Folau (54 Tests)

Reserves

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (70 Tests)

17. Toby Smith (5 Tests)

18. Sekope Kepu (79 Tests)

19. Sam Carter (15 Tests)

20. Jack Dempsey*

21. Joe Powell (1 Test)

22. Quade Cooper (69 Tests)

23. Reece Hodge (12 Tests)