Wallabies squad thin on playmakers may come back to bite Joe Schmidt

There is more on the line for the British & Irish Lions tour than just pride for beleaguered Australian rugby union

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named his 36-man squad to face Fiji and the British & Irish Lions, recalling the enigmatic Will Skelton from La Rochelle, rewarding the uncapped Nick Champion de Crespigny's rousing form for Castres Olympique, and bringing giant lock Darcy Swain in from the cold.

Former star prop Taniela Tupou had wondered publicly if he'd forgotten how to play the game but Schmidt believes he can rekindle his glory days. Perth-born Carlo Tizzano is in having led Super Rugby try-scoring and tackle counts all year. And Sevens bolter Corey Toole, who scored twice in the Brumbies' semi-final loss, looks set for a Test debut with Queensland's Tim Ryan missing out.