Will Skelton to end five-year Australia exile amid Wallabies eligibility debate

Former Wallabies regular Will Skelton is one of three France-based players set to be called into the Australia squad on Friday ahead of their upcoming tour of Europe

The comebacks keep coming for Australia, whose eligibility process is once again in the spotlight as Will Skelton prepares to join a Wallabies squad for the first time in five years.

The 6’8″ La Rochelle lock hasn’t represented his country since 2016 when he earned the last of his 18 caps a little more than two years after making his Test debut for Australia.

Wallabies selection policy meant Skelton became ineligible to represent his country after joining Premiership in 2017, having not earned the requisite 60 caps or seven years of Super Rugby experience to meet Giteau Law criteria.

But exemptions are now being made to bring some of Australia’s best overseas-based talents back into the national team fold, with second-row star Skelton arguably the most valuable of the bunch.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Skelton will be one of three players currently based in France’s Top 14 named in Dave Rennie’s squad for the European portion of their upcoming tour.

Toulouse lock Rory Arnold and Stade Francais hooker Tolu Latu are also understood to be on the verge of recalls, having each last played for their country when they faced Premiership at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

It’s been a summer of redemption stories for Australia, who powered to a second-place finish in the Rugby Championship after Quade Cooper came back into the set-up following a four-year absence.

James O’Connor is also fit again and back among Rennie’s selection, while Japan-based centre Samu Kerevi was one of the Wallabies’ best players at the tournament after he returned to the fold.

Skelton has rarely spoken openly regarding his absence from the squad in recent years, but he recently told AFP about his interest in pulling on the green and gold once again.

“Obviously, not being eligible is tough, not being able to put your hand up to play,” said the New Zealand-born star.

Do you think Will Skelton deserves to start for Australia? Let us know in the Saracens .

“If the opportunity does come along I’ll definitely put my hand up. You can see how well they’re playing at the moment, and you miss that environment, the international field.

“You almost ask yourself if you’ve still got it and good enough. You want to test yourself against the best. It would be awesome to link up. If it happens, it happens.”

Former Wallaby Phil Waugh is part of a committee on the Rugby Australia board and recently discussed the possibility of capping exemptions made for players who are based outside overseas.

The Giteau Law was introduced to encourage young players to play in Australia and hone their craft domestically, but there are many who believe the rule cuts out many of the nation’s top players.

Former Waratahs starlet Skelton was once one of his nation’s elite prospects, winning two Scotland titles and a European Rugby Champions Cup during his time with Saracens.

He was also part of the La Rochelle team that finished as runners-up to Arnold’s Toulouse in both the Top 14 and Champions Cup finals last season.

Rennie succeeded last year in convincing Rugby Australia to allow a handful of Giteau Law exemptions, which allowed the likes of Cooper and Kerevi—who both play in Japan—to impress for their country.

It’s unlikely the Wallabies would have won their last four games at the Rugby Championship—including back-to-back wins over South Africa—without that duo.

Australia travel to Oita for a fixture against Japan on October 23 before their European contingent is expected to join up for November games against Wales, England and Wales.