Fit-again Chris Latham has been named at full-back for Australia's World Cup Pool B opener against Japan on Saturday.

Latham (pictured) has played just a handful of games since undergoing knee surgery in January and his return to fitness has boosted the Wallabies for the tournament starting in France on Friday.

The 73-times capped Latham joins an already highly-experienced Australia backline that features centre Stirling Mortlock and veteran half-backs Stephen Larkham and George Gregan.

Mortlock has recovered from a back problem to lead the side for the clash in Lyon, likely to be the Wallabies' least demanding group game.

"We want to build towards the Wales match with a strong performance on Saturday and we will get a good opportunity to do that against Japan," said Wallabies coach John Connolly.

Latham's only appearance for Australia since November was a 35-minute stint off the bench against New Zealand in the Wallabies' final Tri-Nations game.

Also in the starting line-up is powerful number eight rower Wycliff Palu, who has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in Australia's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand last month.

In the second row, Connolly has named loose forward Dan Vickerman alongside Nathan Sharpe, while Palu is joined in the back row by flankers George Smith and Rocky Elsom.

Connolly also looks set to give fly-half Berrick Barnes his first taste of international rugby after naming the highly-regarded 21-year-old on the bench.

Australia must also play Wales, Fiji and Canada in the pool stages.

Australia: 15-Chris Latham, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Stirling Mortlock (capt), 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Lote Tuqiri, 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Dan Vickerman, 4-Nathan Sharpe, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Matt Dunning.

Replacements: 16-Adam Freier, 17-Guy Shepherdson, 18-Hugh McMeniman, 19-Stephen Hoiles, 20-Berrick Barnes, 21-Drew Mitchell, 22-Mark Gerrard.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport