Form.

Wallabies and Melbourne Rebels star Reece Hodge reckons Ireland are the ‘form team in the world’ right now ahead of next month’s highly anticipated three-Test series with Australia.

Ireland are on an unbeaten run since before last summer, wining all three of their November internationals before completing a Grand Slam in the Six Nations back in March with victory over England at Twickenham.

“They’ve had some great success for their backline throughout the Six Nations and there are really young, exciting guys in that backline such as Garry Ringrose,” Hodge told reporters.

“Obviously [Jacob] Stockdale won the Six Nations player of the tournament and then there are guys like [Johnny] Sexton who are all class. They have threats right across the backline and a really strong forward pack.

“It’s going to be a massive test — they’re probably the form team in the world at the moment so I’m looking forward to it.”

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika today named a 32-man squad for the tour including Hodge, as well as the likes of Israel Folau, Michael Hooper, David Pocock and Kurtley Beale.

Joe Schmidt also named a 32-man squad with all his big names set to travel, including Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray.

IRELAND SUMMER TOUR 2018 FIXTURES

Saturday 9th June, 2018
Australia v IRELAND
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, KO 20.05 local (11.05 IRL)

Saturday 16th June, 2018
Australia v IRELAND
AAMI Park, Melbourne, KO 20.05 local (11.05 IRL)

Saturday 23rd June, 2018
Australia v IRELAND
Allianz Park, Sydney KO 20.05 local (11.05 IRL)