Warhorse flanker Phil Waugh is expected to be a controversial axing when the 30-man Wallabies squad is announced on Thursday.

Former Test skipper Waugh is believed to be the highest profile omission from coach Robbie Deans' extended squad for the start of the international season, kicking off against the Barbarians on June 6.

It's a body blow for the inspirational NSW Waratahs captain, who only recently re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union through to the 2011 World Cup.

Western Force young gun David Pocock is tipped to beat Waugh to the role as George Smith's back-up at openside flanker while versatile Force back-rower Matt Hodgson is expected to be unveiled as the squad's bolter.

The quiet-achieving Hodgson can play all three positions in the back-row and teamed with Pocock and No.8 Richard Brown to make the Force the most effective Australian team at the breakdown in the Super 14.

It's a huge call for the 27-year-old who started the season on the bench and also lost his No.6 jersey to Richard Stanford in round five before showing his importance with consistently strong all-round performances.

Hodgson's shock elevation comes as bulldozing No.8 Wycliff Palu was ruled out for four weeks with a broken hand, which means Brown will start the domestic season at the back of the Wallabies scrum.

Even with Palu's unavailability, there appears no room for the in-form Waugh who was named the Waratahs best forward on Tuesday night.

Waratahs forwards coach Michael Foley, who was also Australia's set-piece coach from 2006-2008, on Wednesday warned against dumping the 77-Test stalwart.

Foley said Waugh still deserved to be rated among the best three No.7s in world rugby along with Smith and All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw.

In contrast to the view of the Test selectors, Foley believed age was on the side of 29-year-old Waugh, not Pocock, 21, who he also rates as a future Wallabies captain.

"We're playing Test football and experience counts for a lot and Phil Waugh is hardly over the hill," he said. "I think Australia in the past has had a habit of moving players on before time.

"One day Pocock will overtake one or both of those blokes (Smith or Waugh) probably but at this stage I don't think he's done that.

"I think George and Phil will be available for the next World Cup and I'm certain both those guys will hold form and potentially even improve a little to the extent they will still be in the top three in the world."

Foley said Waugh's value was also underlined by his leadership qualities and the high regard of his peers.

"When you've got a guy who is that influential in the playing group and has that level of leadership skill which is important in supporting the coach and captain, it is something which is very difficult to ignore."

The selectors aren't expected to name three hookers, with Adam Freier making his comeback from injury in club rugby this weekend along with prop Matt Dunning.

Teenage sensation James O'Connor is expected to be included in the squad as a fullback-inside back option instead of heading to next month's Under-20 world championships.

Possible Wallabies squad: Forwards - Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Sekope Kepu, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Will Caldwell, Peter Kimlin, Dean Mumm, Matt Hodgson, George Smith, David Pocock, Richard Brown, Stephen Hoiles.

Backs - Josh Valentine, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Lote Tuqiri, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor.

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