Skelton and Valetini return for Wallabies

Second Test match between the Irish Lions and the British and Irish Lions and British &

Melbourne Cricket Ground Date: Saturday, July 26; 11:00 BST

For Saturday’s crucial second Test against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne, lock Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini will return to the Australia starting lineup.

After losing the series opener in Brisbane, the Lions won with a score of 27-19, the hosts were underpowered with the return of the giant duo.

In other positions, Joe Porecki starts at hooker and Joey Suaalii starts at midfield, Tom Lynagh at fly-half, and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at cross-code, respectively.

As coach Joe Schmidt chooses to have six forwards and two backs on the bench, back rower Langi Gleeson has recovered from an injury and is one of the replacements.

Australia won the second half 14-10 to put some gloss on a largely one-sided contest despite being defeated by the Lions in the first half at Suncorp Stadium.

Schmidt claims that his side will be better prepared for the Lions’ intensity from the beginning this week after moving slowly in Brisbane.

The squad has recovered well from a very physical first test, he said, and the week’s preparation in Melbourne has given us a little more time to play together.

Due to their calf injuries, Skelton and Valetini were both forced to miss the series opener and will now serve as ballast for the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s Wallaby pack.

The Lions are aware of the 6’8″ and 21-stone Skelton’s unique threat, and the Melbourne-born Valetini, who watched his Australian Rules team St Kilda play at the MCG when he was a child, will be proud of it.

In his three years as a Lions’ skipper in north London, Skelton and Maro Itoje both won titles and the Champions Cup with the Lions.

He is a fantastic player who can be a hero to any team he plays for. According to Itoje, he gives the team a sense of dynamism, size, and strength.

Will presents different challenges to your traditional lock due to his size and strengths.

Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Williams, Gleeson, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson as replacements.

Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park, Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Chessum, Beirne, Curry, Conan, are Irish Lions represented by British &.

Nika Amashukeli (Geo), Assistant Referee

Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) as Assistant Referee #2

Eric Gauzins (Fra) TMO