LOCK James Horwill has missed out on selection for Australia’s World Cup squad four years after captaining the Wallabies in the tournament.

Coach Michael Chieka has gone for a split of 17 forwards and 14 backs for the 'group of death' that also includes Wales, hosts England and dangerous Fiji.

He has rolled the dice by selecting only two specialist hookers - captain Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau - given that players can only be replaced in the 31-man squad if they suffer serious injuries.

Cheika has also named a pair of scrum-halves, with Nic White left out and Matt Giteau put forward as the potential back-up for Nick Phipps and Will Genia.

The selection travelling to England for the September tournament comprises 17 forwards and 14 backs, who have over 1,200 Test caps between them.

Flanker Sean McMahon and prop Toby Smith are included despite previously being absent from Cheika's plans during the 2015 international season.

The Wallabies boss told rugby.com.au: "We're become a really tight group and it was a very difficult process in picking only 31 players, but I know each player selected will travel to England with the full support of those team mates who won't board the flight.

"Our primary focus throughout the Super Rugby competition, The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup was to select a balanced squad between youth, experience and form and this squad certainly delivers on this.

"It's also important that we select a squad that will handle the tournament play and our draw in particular at the Rugby World Cup, as well as maintain a strong competition for places in the team."

Australia begin their campaign against Fiji in Cardiff on September 23 before facing Uruguay in Birmingham four days later. The two-time world champions then meet Pool A rivals England and Wales at Twickenham, London, on October 3 and October 10 respectively.

Australia squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup - Forwards: S Moore, T Polota-Nau, G Holmes, S Kepu, S Sio, J Slipper, T Smith, K Douglas, D Mumm, R Simmons, W Skelton, S Fardy, M Hooper, B McCalman, S McMahon, W Palu, D Pocock.

Backs: W Genia, N Phipps, Q Cooper, B Foley, K Beale, M Giteau, M Toomua, A Ashley-Cooper, I Folau, R Horne, D Mitchell, H Speight, J Tomane, T Kuridrani.