Wallabies prodigal son Drew Mitchell believes both he and Toulon teammate Matt Giteau are ready to play Test rugby this year, despite playing overseas in recent seasons.

The pair arrived in Australia at 5am this morning before being officially named in Michael Cheika’s initial 40-man training squad for the Rugby Championships today.

After starring in the Heineken Cup final at Twickenham earlier this year, Mitchell said both he and Giteau were ready to return to the gold jersey.

“I don’t think the speed is too far off international football,” he told media in Sydney today.

“I think personally and from experience, the Heineken Cup and the higher quality games of Top 14 are probably closer to Test match rugby than Super Rugby.”

Mitchell said he had resigned to the fact that his Test career was over when he signed with Toulon, but was thrilled with the ARU’s decision to alter their player contracting policy ahead of this year’s World Cup.

Having played the Heineken Cup final in front of 80,000 fans at Twickenham in May, he said he thought his time in Europe had prepared him for a return to Test rugby.

“There is a really strong focus on set piece and territory and taking points when they are on offer and it’s the type of football the Wallabies will face in the pool stages of the World Cup and also against quality sides like the Springboks and All Blacks.”

Michael Cheika said neither player had been assured a spot in the Rugby Championship or World Cup squads, leaving it to both players to train their way into the side.

“The idea is to get them in as early as possible so we can have a look at them. The two lads will be introduced to an environment where there will be a tough training program and a new way of playing,” Cheika said.

“The earlier I get them here and the more time they spend with the team, the better we’ll be off in making a decision longer term.”

Mitchell spent one season with Cheika at the Waratahs before leaving for France and said he was looking forward to getting into camp.

“He does things differently but what he does is get the most out of players. Not only that, but he brings the boys together as well so I’m looking forward to getting into that environment as well. “

Wallabies 40-man training squad

BACKS: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Drew Mitchell, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.

FORWARDS: David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Wyclif Palu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu, Rory Arnold, Dave Dennis, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, Tetera Faulkner, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper.