Skelton to captain Australia in final Rugby World Cup warm-up against France
La Rochelle lock Will Skelton will captain Australia for the first time in this weekend's Rugby World Cup warm-up with hosts France, Rugby Australia announced on Friday.
READ | France back Jalibert at flyhalf in Rugby World Cup warm-up against Wallabies
Skelton was picked as Eddie Jones' captain for the tournament with experienced flanker Michael Hooper omitted from the squad.
The 31-year-old will partner fellow France-based second-row, 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 August 5.
Australia open their World Cup campaign against Georgia on 9 September before also playing Fiji, Wales and Portugal in Pool C.
Kick-off is at 17:45 on Sunday.
Teams:
France
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Substitutes: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Baptiste Couilloud, 23 Melvyn Jaminet
Australia
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 (captain), 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell
Substitutes: 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