Dublin: Will Skelton has been named captain of a Wallaby XV and Marika Koroibete will start on the wing in his first game of rugby since high school when the Australians take on the French Barbarians in Bordeaux on Thursday evening (Friday morning AEDT).

Coach Scott Wisemantel has picked 12 players in his starting XV with Australian caps to their name in what will be a chance for a number of those who aren't involved with the Test team in Dublin to get some much-needed game time on the tour.

Skelton has been handed the captaincy reigns of an eclectic team with mix of youth and some older, familiar faces.

One of those is former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen, who believes Skelton is a natural leader and will lead from the front well.