Arnold Skelton and Beale named for Scotland Test but Latu misses out

The international careers of Rory Arnold, Will Skelton and Kurtley Beale have been officially reignited, while waiting Waratah Izaia Perese is in line for a Test debut after being named by Dave Rennie for Sunday’s match (Monday AEDT) against Scotland at Murrayfield.

The Wallabies coach says a “desperation to play” gave him the confidence to recall the “French connection” for a match where the Wallabies will be looking to make it six wins on the trot.

Will Skelton will play his first Wallabies Test in five years this weekend against Scotland.

Will Skelton will play his first Wallabies Test in five years this weekend against Scotland. Credit:Getty

While Tolu Latu’s return to a gold jersey may have to wait until next week’s fixture against England, Arnold, Skelton and Beale bring genuine experience and have travelled different paths in Europe during their time out of the Wallabies set-up.

Arnold, the towering second-rower who was an important member of Australia’s 2019 World Cup squad, replaces Matt Philip in a starting side featuring Izack Rodda.

Meanwhile, Rennie has resisted the temptation to start Skelton, the former Waratahs second-rower, and will instead unleash him off the bench in the final half-hour of play.

Wallabies team to face Scotland at Murrayfield

(1-15): James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda, Rob Leota, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Valetini, Nic White, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway.

Bench: Connal McInerney, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Kurtley Beale,  Izaia Perese. 

Skelton has been in brilliant form for Saracens and La Rochelle since he left Australian rugby in 2017 following his last Test against France in 2016.

Beale, whose last outing for Australia was in the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, will come off a dynamic 5-3 Wallabies bench looking to break the game open late.

Rory Arnold is back in Australia’s starting XV.

Rory Arnold is back in Australia’s starting XV. Credit:Getty

“They’re very passionate and desperate to play, which was really exciting,” said Rennie of the France-based trio. “We didn’t want them just coming in and feeling their way in and being part of the group. They have a lot of experience, and we wanted them to come in and contribute immediately.”

Asked if he was tempted to start Skelton, Rennie replied: “We contemplated just bringing one [second-rower] in [to the starting team]. Rory has played for the Brumbies and played under Dan [McKellar]. He understands the calling system and how we maul. We felt with Will coming off the bench, he’s a beast and will give us really good impact.

“Kurtley is a really good communicator. He looks sharp. He’s potentially covering 15, he’s covering 10.”

Andrew Kellaway and Kurtley Beale have a chat at Wallabies training in Edinburgh.

Andrew Kellaway and Kurtley Beale have a chat at Wallabies training in Edinburgh. Credit:Getty

Rennie said Latu needed to sharpen up on some lineout calls and details before making a Test return.

Rennie has opted for Andrew Kellaway at fullback over Beale in the absence of Reece Hodge, who suffered a pectoral injury in Australia’s recent 32-23 win over Japan.

James O’Connor will wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey for the first time this year following Quade Cooper’s omission from the tour.

O’Connor has a golden opportunity to show his class and will partner Nic White in the halves, while Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau have been trusted as Australia’s centre pairing.

After a number of near misses, Perese, the Waratahs centre, is poised to make his Test debut after injuring himself before Australia’s Tests against France earlier this year.

“He’s powerful, explosive and got a genuine point of difference. We like that,” said Rennie of Perese. “He’s very quick and we reckon he’s ready to go.”

The Wallabies are seeking revenge after being thrashed by Scotland 53-24 in their last encounter four years ago at Murrayfield.

“I’d imagine there’s a couple of scars there from those who played in it,” Rennie said. “What it highlighted is they underestimated Scotland. While there was a red card, which probably made things tougher for the Wallabies, it’s a Scottish team that can hurt you. It’s pretty similar to what we’re going to face this weekend.”

Rennie has links to Scotland, having coached in Glasgow, and defence coach Matt Taylor is extremely motivated to make it six on the trot for the men in gold against the team he worked for until 2019.

Rennie said plenty of old friends had asked for tickets this week.

“I’ve had a few requests. They refuse to wear Wallaby gold though,” Rennie said.

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