Coach Michael Cheika has named four France-based players in a 36-man Wallabies training squad ahead of the Rugby Championship. 

Toulon duo Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, along with Bordeaux's Adam Ashley-Cooper and Stade Français' Will Genia, all received call-ups. In addition, Quade Cooper, who recently re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union, was also included. 

Rebels utility back Reece Hodge, who was in the initial squad in June but failed to make his debut then, has been recalled with Waratahs prop Tom Robertson the only other uncapped player in the group. 

Notable absentees from the squad are Liam Gill, Greg Holmes, Christian Leali'ifano, Rory Arnold and Sam Carter. Reds duo Gill and Holmes are both joining overseas clubs. 

Cheika also confirmed Waratahs veteran Wycliff Palu was not included because he decided to retire from Test rugby. 

'He came and spoke to me after the series on him moving on and retiring from international rugby. He doesn’t want any noise about this stuff. He's one of the greatest servants we have, he's done so much for Australian rugby, he shouldn’t be shifting out the side door to Japan. He’s been one of the great players I've coached not only because of the way he plays the game but his attitude towards the team and what he does for the team, all class and always understated,' said Cheika.

The squad will convene in Sydney on Monday and be trimmed down before Australia's first Bledisloe Cup Test on 20 August.

Wallabies squad: Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Drew Mitchell, Luke Morahan, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Matt Toomua.

Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images