'I was very raw' - Skelton itching for Lions rematch

Australia lock Will Skelton says he has been rewatching footage of taking on the British and Irish Lions as a rookie 21-year-old to whet his appetite for this summer's series.

Now 33, one of Skelton's first senior matches was as part of a Waratahs side that lost 47-17 to the Lions in 2013.

"I was very raw," said Skelton.

"I didn't understand the magnitude of the tour as I do now with all the experience I have had now.

"I watched the game again last week and I walked a lot of that game.

"I wasn't actually that good, I didn't have too many involvements - it was probably my third professional game.

"I wanted to look at what the atmosphere was like, how I was as a player then, how I have changed and improved, and just take it in as an experience because I know in a few weeks that is coming."

Skelton, who moved to La Rochelle from Saracens in 2020, is the only overseas-based player in Australia's squad for their warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 July.

Standing 6ft 8in tall and weighing nearly 23 stone, Skelton was asked whether his power could be a way for the Wallabies to get on top of the Lions forward pack.

"I will just try and be myself," he added.

"They have some great players, but we have also got some weapons in this team.

"It is about trying to fulfil that as best we can come those big games.

"Aussie rugby in the last two years has improved a lot and this Wallaby team is playing a brand of footy the whole country is getting behind. We really want to take it to these guys."

Skelton was part of Australia team that crashed out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stages, but a calf complaint limited his involvement to their opening weekend win over Georgia.

He returned to Australia colours for the first time since the tournament in the win over Wales in the 2024 autumn internationals.

The Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia in 2013 was their first tour victory in 16 years, and is also their most recent.