Don’t be cranky, be connected: Will Skelton on why French raids can be good for Australian rugby

November 13, 2026 — 12:00pmWill Skelton believes the growing number of rising young Australians being signed by French rugby clubs should not be feared, saying it can benefit the Wallabies if officials build a system of care and connection with the departed youngsters.Skelton, who plies his trade for La Rochelle in France’s domestic Top 14, gave his view hours after it was announced Australia’s under 18s captain Justice Taumoepeau had signed a three-year deal with the Pau club.Justice Taumoepeau of Australia U18’s is tackled during the match between Australia U18 Rugby and Australia School in September in SydneyGetty Images for Rugby AustraliaThe rising Waratahs backrower is the latest prospect to join a French academy, following on from the highly-touted Heinz Lemoto in 2025. There are about 30 young Australians in pathway squads of French clubs, many of them tight forwards, and a good number have made senior debuts as well.Most of the youngsters are aiming to earn “JIFF” status via a three-year academy stint, which allows them to qualify as a local in the French club system for the rest of their career.Skelton is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon but flew into Edinburgh to spend a few days in Wallabies camp. Speaking in Edinburgh, the giant lock said a teenager developing in a French academy can be a positive thing for Australian rugby.“The exposure is a really good thing,” Skeleton said. “It’s only going to improve what we have. Having guys experience that at a young age, and then if they fire up and think ‘I’d love to come back to the Tahs’ or they want to come back to the Reds or love to play for the Wallabies, it can only increase the experience that we have in the squad.Will Skelton’s physicality was vital against the British and Irish Lions.Getty Images“I feel opportunity is awesome. I know Justice as well, I know his dad and his mum. He’s a good kid and he’s going to have some fun over there.”STAY CONNECTEDThat potential reward for Australian rugby comes with risk. While some players do come back to play Super Rugby - Miles Amatosero, for example - there are others who go on to play for France, including Brisbane pair Manny Meafou and Moses Alo-Emile.Skelton said how Rugby Australia ensure players like Taumoepeau and Lemoto return home is a question for RA officials but he said the fledgling policy of trying to stay connected with the young Australians in France, and selecting them for the Junior Wallabies, is “a good first step”.France’s Moses Alo-Emile runs at the Wallabies defence in July.AP Photo/Tertius Pickard“You’ve seen it already, guys have been invited into camp when we were in France and stuff, and it looks they’re opening up that catchment too, so that’s the first step,” Skelton said.As reported by this masthead last year, RA invited several France-based youngsters to Wallabies training while in Paris, as part of a plan to remain connected with all Australian-eligible players in French clubs.“That’s a great first step, and hopefully there’s more … engagement pieces that boys can get involved with, and seeing what Kissy’s doing with the team,” Skelton said.“Cos that’s the only way you really build that - especially if you’re playing overseas - that want and desire to play, is to come get a taste of it, and go back to your clubland.”One of the players who visited Wallabies training last year was prop Lehopa Leota, who was also selected to play for the Junior Wallabies earlier this year in a major policy shift. The Racing 92 prop, who plays with Taniela Tupou, is being pursued by RA and the Waratahs.Queensland-raised Castres prop Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe also played for the Junior Wallabies.“What it looks post that, I don’t know. It does come to the player as well, because, a lot of these boys are going for opportunity and if you’re feeling loved, that’s the main thing: feeling wanted. That feeling is hard to … you can’t manufacture that,” Skelton said.“All I can really say is, good on him (Taumoepeau) and what we can do is, I guess as the (Wallabies) team, is we can perform and get these guys wanting to come back and play for us and play for the jersey.”ON THE COMEBACK TRAILSkelton ruptured his Achilles tendon playing club rugby in March. He is aiming to be back playing by the end of the year.“Slow and steady is probably the phrase I’d give it,” Skelton said. “Obviously with my age, my weight, how big I am, and then history of calves and stuff, we wanted to take our time with it. I want to feel really strong when I come back.”Will Skelton is in Wallabies camp in Scotland this week.Sitthixay DitthavongBeing fresh in a World Cup year will also be a silver lining, and having been in the middle of the huge Lions series in 2025, Skelton is excited about the prospect of playing in the tournament on home soil.“For every player in this team, that’s the end goal, being next year a home World Cup. To be involved would be awesome, I still feel I’ve got heaps to give,” he said. “If I didn’t have that drive and that feeling, I probably would have retired, but I still feel I can help and I can add value. But I need to help my club team first before I can even think of those things.”WOUNDED WALLABIESSkelton has joined the Wallabies camp and will attend the game against Scotland on Monday (AEDT). After the Wallabies’ humbling loss against England, Australia need Skelton on the field, particularly given his physicality and aggression were largely missing last week.“I always text all the boys, “How’s it all?” and everyone was gutted,” Skelton said. “But that is all dusted now, you learn from it, let’s move on to Scotland because Scotland is a very good team.Jack van Poortvliet scores England’s team’s fourth try last week.Getty ImagesSkelton last played for the Wallabies in the Lions series and the history-making South Africa tour last year. His presence in camp could, at least, provide a timely reminder of their recent form.“You don’t have to look that far back, they’ve got everything,” he said. “They work, bro, they work hard for each other. That’s the main thing, if you don’t have that then, that’s going to be tough … I have full confidence in this team.”Skelton said he would not seek to impose himself in camp.“I can observe and, I’m coming from the outside, so it’s a good look into the squad. And then that’s feeding into Al (Alaalatoa) if I do pick up something. I am not coming here as a leader and be, “Hey, I’m going to have a meeting with the lads and say, “man, you just need to fix this and this.”“When I start playing and stuff, it’ll be a lot easier, but if I do have any observations, I’ll definitely voice them.“You can see that there’s good (performances) in them … It’s just about sustaining it. That’s why it’s pretty cool to be involved again.”From our partners