Skelton set for Rugby Championship return after Lions heroics
However, a relaxation of eligibility rules allowed Skelton to end a five-year hiatus from international duty and play for the Wallabies on the Spring tour in 2021 against Scotland, England and Wales.
In the last eight years he has played club rugby overseas, the second-rower has only represented the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship three times, starting against South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand in 2023.
Traditionally, for Skelton to play for the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, he has to return from France directly after playing in the gruelling Top 14 finals, where he has featured in five of his six seasons at La Rochelle.
This season, La Rochelle missed out on the Top 14 playoffs for the first time in seven years, allowing the second-rower to return to Australia earlier than expected to prepare for the Lions series.
In an interview with this masthead, Skelton previously said that he was likely to return to France after the Lions series, although the Wallaby also revealed he was set for discussions with Schmidt.
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Under regulation nine of World Rugby on the availability of players, the Wallabies are entitled to ask for a squad member to be released from their northern hemisphere club for the duration of the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies will fly to South Africa on Saturday ahead of two Tests against South Africa in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
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