Sailor and Rogers join locks Nathan Sharpe and Daniel Vickerman as the only uncapped players in the squad.

Australia start the international season with the curtain-raiser against New Zealand Maoris in Perth on 15 June.

Fly-half Stephen Larkham, winger Ben Tune and centre Steve Kefu are unavailable for that game due to injury.

But they are expected to come back for the Test matches against France on 22 June and 29 June and the Tri Nations Series against New Zealand and South Africa in July.

Both Rogers, who scored a hat-trick of tries as Australia A hammered Canada last week, and Sailor agree they have a long way to go in rugby union.

"It's been hard work. We're still learning," said Rogers, who is hoping to play inside centre after turning out at full-back for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 12.

Australia coach Eddie Jones warned that the French, who beat Australia in Marseille last year, would provide a stiff test for his team.

"The French are, of course, always inventive, but they showed us in Marseille last year how to play a physical, mobile game," he said.

"We have to go back to basics.

"The forwards are there to win the ball and the backs to use it."

Winger targeted

Despite calling up ex-league stars Rogers and Sailor, Jones ruled out the prospect of further widespread recruitment from the 13-man code.

"The senior rugby league ranks are a minor resource area for us, because the more younger players we can get through the ranks the better," Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald.

He confirmed Queensland State of Origin winger Lote Tuqiri was the only league target before next year's World Cup.

Humble Eales

Meanwhile, the Australian Rugby Union announced that a medal, named in honour of former Australian captain John Eales, will be awarded annually to the country's best player.

The award will be decided by votes cast by members of the Australian team in each of their international matches, with the first winner to be announced in November.

Eales, who retired last year after a career that featured two World Cup wins, one as captain, said he was humbled to have the medal named after him.

Australian squad

Backs: Matthew Burke (vice-capt), Elton Flatley, George Gregan (capt), Daniel Herbert, Chris Latham, Stirling Mortlock, Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor, Andrew Walker, Chris Whitaker

Forwards: Brendan Cannon, Matt Cockbain, Ben Darwin, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Toutai Kefu, Jeremy Paul, David Lyons, Patricio Noriega, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Daniel Vickerman, Bill Young

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