In-form Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson hopes his back row versatility will help him finally earn the Wallabies Test cap he so desperately craves.

Hodgson's outstanding Super 14 campaign, where he excelled in all three back row positions as David Pocock and Richard Brown succumbed to injury, was rewarded with selection in Australia's 30-man squad for Tests against Fiji, England and Ireland next month.

The late-blooming 28-year-old is desperate to make his Test debut after coming agonisingly close last June, when he was ruled out of action after injuring his shoulder in a non-cap outing against the Barbarians.

"It was one of those days where it's one of your biggest highs playing for Australia and then getting injured and missing out (on the main tour) was hard," Hodgson said.

"It sort of drove me this year to put my hand up again and make selection and get that Test cap that I want.

"Going away on Spring tour and training with the boys and seeing how much excitement you get representing your country was a big drive for me this year to get there again.

"Definitely over here (during the last few years at the Force) with David playing so well at No.7 and Brownie at No.8 I've just strived to get in the starting 15.

"And wherever I got picked I just tried to play my best football.

"You never know which way the selections are going to go so hopefully Robbie (Deans) has that (versatility) in mind and I'm happy to fit anywhere in that 22 just to get that game under my belt."

Hodgson heaped praise on Force skipper Nathan Sharpe, who led the Perth-based franchise admirably despite their 13th-placed finish.

"He doesn't talk a lot about how his performance is but that probably sums the guy up," Hodgson said.

"He's had probably one of his best seasons in his time in Super Rugby and the way he's led us through the year has been instrumental for a lot of blokes.

"I know it made me keep going at the start of the year when we were up against a brick wall.

"He's a good bloke and his form has been great this year.

"Probably the best captain I've ever had.

"The way he leads us on the field is the same as off the field and he's got that good combination with all the blokes from the older guys to the younger guys so everyone respects him."

The Force had six players named in the Wallabies' 30-man squad, with Hodgson joined by Sharpe, Pocock, Brown, James O'Connor and Pek Cowan.

But there was no room for centre Ryan Cross, who struggled for consistency this season.

Winger Nick Cummins and forward Ben McCalman were among 10 Australians named in the Barbarians squad.

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