La Rochelle lock Will Skelton will captain Australia for the first time in this weekend’s Rugby World Cup warm-up against tournament hosts France.
Skelton was picked as Eddie Jones’ captain for the tournament with experienced flanker Michael Hooper omitted from the squad.
TEAM: Willemse locks in France warm-up
The 31-year-old will partner fellow France-based lock, Toulouse’s Richie Arnold, for Sunday’s game at the Stade de France.
Skelton is one of four changes in the starting lineup from the loss to New Zealand on 5 August.
Australia open their World Cup campaign against Georgia on September 9 before facing Fiji, Wales and Portugal in Pool C.
Wallabies – 15 Andrew Kellaway; 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Suliasi Vunivalu; 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott; 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper; 5 Will Skelton (c), 4 Richie Arnold; 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Subs: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Langi Gleeson, 22 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23 Ben Donaldson.
Photo: Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP