Overview

• Rugby Australia confirmed Skelton has returned to France and will miss the Townsville and Sydney Tests against Argentina, with any Bledisloe involvement only discussed as a possibility.
• Joe Schmidt named a 36-man group featuring the returns of prop Allan Alaalatoa and fly-half Tom Lynagh and the recall of back-rower Pete Samu, while James O’Connor and Nic White remain in contention.
• Queensland lock Josh Canham comes in to cover the second row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the frame alongside Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams.
• Injuries continue to bite, including Tom Wright’s ACL layoff and unavailability for Matt Faessler, Ben Donaldson and Jake Gordon, though captain Harry Wilson has been passed fit.
• Australia will face Argentina on September 6 in Townsville and September 13 in Sydney, with the series carrying ranking significance ahead of the World Cup draw.