Giteau, Mitchell welcomed back to Wallabies squad

Melbourne: Australia coach Michael Cheika has welcomed France-based backs Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell into his 40-man training squad for the Rugby Championship against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.

The Toulon teammates became eligible to play for the Wallabies after a rule change earlier this year which allowed overseas-based players with 60 international caps to be selected.

The 32-year-old Giteau, capped 92 times for the Wallabies, was once first-choice flyhalf under former coach Robbie Deans, but he was omitted from the 2011 World Cup squad amid reports of a fall-out with the New Zealander.

He was followed to French giants Toulon by 31-year-old winger Mitchell, who played his last test for the Wallabies against Wales in 2012.