Will Skelton rejoins Wallabies ‘thought the door had closed’ – ESPN

Returning Wallabies lock Will Skelton says it was an easy decision to rejoin the national setup, revealing a call from coach Dave Rennie earlier this year convinced him to "put his head down" in pursuit of an opportunity he previously thought might not come again.

Skelton linked up with the Wallabies in Edinburgh on Sunday and is one of five new additions to a squad that is recovering from the withdrawal of Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Sean McMahon. The lock had originally been named alongside Rory Arnold and Tolu Latu last month, but the Japan-based trio's exit and tour-ending injury to Reece Hodge have seen Kurtley Beale, Colby Fainga'a and Duncan Paia'aua also added.

It is a first taste of the Wallabies environment for the former Waratahs lock in almost five years. Having slipped down the pecking order under Michael Cheika, Skelton accepted a short-term deal with English giants Saracens and in the seasons that followed established himself as one of the premier second-rowers in the northern hemisphere, leading to a nomination for the 2020/21 European Player of the Year.

While he missed out on that award to France's star scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, the now-La Rochelle lock is primed to deliver on the promise he showed early in his Test career.

"A bit more experience," Skelton said when asked why he was now a better player than the one who departed Australia in 2017. "Playing week in week out against northern hemisphere boys, you take a bit from them. I've played a lot with the England boys. You see what their standards are like, how they operate."

Skelton won two English Premierships and one European Cup with Saracens, before the club was later found to have cheated the English salary cap and was subsequently banished to the lower level Championship. It also saw several of the team's big names depart, including Skelton, who opted for La Rochelle instead of repatriation to Super Rugby and, at that point, the Wallabies.

But tweaks to the Giteau Law last year represented the start of the shift on Wallabies eligibility for overseas-based players, a situation that continues to be debated at Rugby Australia.

Originally brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for larger squads given the presence of bio-secure bubbles and quarantine, Rennie still did not activate the option last year.

But it wasn't on the account of a lack of engagement, with Skelton revealing he had been contacted about a cameo Tri Nations appearance.

"I spoke to [director of rugby] Scotty Johnson last year [before] the [Tri Nations] but it was a shortened version of it, it was a massive bubble they did for like 12 weeks," Skelton explained. "He asked me to come then and it didn't work out. My wife was pregnant and I didn't really want to leave her.

"I thought the door was closed and then 'Rens' gave me a phone call in the middle of the year and said if you'd like to be involved we'll be looking at you. He just said keep playing good footy and you might be involved with the team. I put my head down."

The return of Skelton and fellow lock Arnold means Australia suddenly has an embarrassment of riches in the second-row. Matt Philip and Izack Rodda had established themselves as Rennie's first-choice lock pairing, with Brumbies youngster Darcy Swain also in the squad.

The availability of Skelton and Arnold for the year's final three Tests is an invaluable injection for Australia on the field after a deflating week off it, with both men hardened by the opening seven weeks of the Top 14 season.

They also faced off in both the European Cup and French Top 14 finals last year, too.

"We were just talking about it yesterday because I've never really played with Will, I just imagine having him behind me or Alan or any of the tight-heads, as a prop, that is a dream," Tupou said of Skelton's potential presence.

"You don't have to do much. You just have to be in good shape and Will will do the rest. [I'm] looking forward to it."

While Rennie initially indicated it might be tough for Skelton and co. to feature against Scotland on Sunday, the lock himself believes he could be up to speed in time for the Murrayfield clash.

"We went through a bit of detail last night," Skelton said. "The shape is quite simple and something as a rugby player you've got to get used to quick.

"I'm not too sure, we'll see what [Rennie] is thinking, but we'll definitely be putting our hand up - all the boys ... we're not here to sit back and train for the three weeks. We want to try and be involved and put our hand up for selection. We'll be trying to get our head around it for Sunday on a seven-day turnaround."

As well as a second coming at Test level, a return to the Wallabies has also given Skelton the opportunity to reconnect with old teammates and experience the team's newfound winning culture under Rennie.

The 29-year-old then wants to add to it.

"You build relationships with them [teammates] at the start of your career and then to be able to play with them for your country is the ultimate," Skelton said. "It's something very special and something you never take for granted. To be involved with the group again is something that I didn't think was coming. Grateful to be here.

"You've seen how well they've been playing, they're on a winning streak, and you want to come in and add value, you don't want to be pulling them back.

"You always want to be involved, guys like Rory and myself, Duncan and Colby, who have joined, we're excited to be here and we're excited to help out with this squad and help take this squad where it wants to be."

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Will Skelton rejoins Wallabies 'thought the door had closed' - ESPN