Skelton crew ready to stand up for Wallabies after Eddie Jones axed leaders James Slipper and Michael Hooper ahead of World Cup in Paris

Series winner Will Skelton can barely remember the last time he captained a team, but he’s not shying away from leading the Wallabies into next month’s Rugby World Cup.

Coach Eddie Jones dumped veteran James Slipper from his co-captaincy gig and cut injured co-leader Michael Hooper from his squad altogether, opting instead to hand over the reins to the 203-foot-tall behemoth Skelton.

Halfback Tate McDermott becomes alternate.

Europe-based Skelton, who boasts a stack of titles at English club Saracens and his current French side La Rochelle, admits he has no leadership experience and is not much of a talker, but was happy to answer Jones’ call.

“It’s very special, not only for me, but also for my family,” said the 31-year-old.

“Putting on the jersey is one thing and then being captain, selected by Eddie, is something I will never forget.

‘That involves a lot of responsibilities, a bit more pressure. It’s about being myself, leading in the only way I can, which is through my actions.

“I’m not much of a talker on the team… it keeps this group well connected for a hard slog.”

James Slipper co-captained the Wallabies at the Bledisloe Cup but was ousted before the World Cup

Australia’s Michael Hooper has been a mainstay with the Wallabies, but missed out on a World Cup spot in Paris

Jones said his options as captain had been “trial and error” since returning as Australia coach.

He went with Slipper and Hooper as co-captains for the recent Rugby Championship, before McDermott led the side against New Zealand last weekend.

Allan Alaalatoa has also filled the role for the past year.

“Part of the job of taking over the team was developing a leadership team that could take Australian rugby back to where we want to be, which is at the top of the world,” said Jones.

“There is a bit of trial and error. We went with two experienced guys in Hoops and Slips, but unfortunately Hoops got injured after one game, so that was the end of that experiment.

“We’ve looked at the right mix of people to lead the team… it’s more than being captain… Will is a very good leader of men.”

Skelton recalled a previous captaincy experience, captaining a Wallabies XV against the French Barbarians in 2016, a game his side lost 19-11.

Forming a terrifying lock pair with either Richie Arnold or Nick Frost, he leads an attacker he believes can challenge the best in the world.

“We have a lot of experience in our pack, including some big guys,” Skelton said.

“They like the physical combat, having that size and that power can go one of two ways – we can shrink from it or we can bring it forward and get into that contact and physicality.

“I have no doubt that we can really push these young guys on our team forward.”

Jones has picked a young side to compete in the Rugby World Cup and made some tough decisions about veterans and leaders

The new Wallabies pose for a team photo during the Rugby World Cup squad announcement on Darwin’s waterfront

The official unveiling of the 33-man team who will depart for France next week in search of ultimate glory revealed giant slot Skelton as the man chosen to fill the captaincy void left by the omission of Hooper and Allan Alaalatoa, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the first Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks.

Coach Eddie Jones said he supported the youth side, with 25 attending their first World Cup and 22-year-old flyhalf Carter Gordon, who has played just four Tests, the only number 10 because they ‘deserved it’ and was adamant that the group could shock the world.

“I supported the young guys because they deserved it. Simple as that. I didn’t give it to them. They got it,” Jones said.

“It is exciting for me to go to work every day with these guys who are committed to improving, learning and getting better. They want to succeed, and they will succeed and that excitement radiates to everyone. We’re in a good place.

“The experts have written us off. No one believes we can, but we believe. The coaches believe, the players believe and that’s all that matters.’

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