No Will Skelton for Wallabies as Champion de Crespigny gets surprise debut  

22-year-old fly-half Tom Lynagh gets a first international start on home turf at Suncorp Stadium.

Nick Champion de Crespigny poses for a photo after the Wallabies squad announcement. Pic: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Joe Schmidt will be without key forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini for Australia’s series-opening Test against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday while handing a first international start to 22-year-old fly-half Tom Lynagh on home turf at Suncorp Stadium.

Former Ireland boss Schmidt goes head to head with his former defence coach and successor to the Irish head coach role Andy Farrell when the Wallabies host the Lions for the first time in 12 years in Brisbane this weekend. Yet Australia’s underdog tag for this series has been consolidated with this latest injury blow.