Will Skelton’s senior status in the Wallabies squad is underlined not just by recently celebrating his 33rd birthday, but also by being one of just two players, alongside prop James Slipper, who have faced the British and Irish Lions before.

After his season ended in France with La Rochelle, Skelton needed to look into his past to embrace the future. The giant second-rower watched the Waratahs’ 30-point defeat against a team featuring Johnny Sexton and Geoff Parling, now assistant coaches with the Lions and Wallabies, respectively.

Skelton’s choice of post-season entertainment had a purpose; he wanted to remind himself of the intensity that a British and Irish series brings, on and off the field. Skelton has subsequently won three European Cups and captained his country in a World Cup, but the Lions still feel different.

“I was very raw, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the tour, as I do now, with all the experience I’ve had. It’s a massive, massive occasion for rugby, and especially rugby in Australia,” Skelton said.

Skelton’s performance against the Lions was mixed and included a huge late hit on Sexton that left the Irish playmaker crumpled on the turf and a try assist for Tom Carter, now a Waratahs assistant coach.

“I walked a lot of that game, I wasn’t actually that good, didn’t have too many involvements, and that was probably my third professional game,” Skelton said.

“I wanted to have a look at what the atmosphere was like, how I was as a player then, how I’ve changed, how I’ve improved, and just taking it as an experience, because I know in the few weeks that’s coming. The Lions are a special team.”

Last April, Skelton told this masthead he had doubts about making the Wallabies squad, citing his form slump with La Rochelle.