Wallabies lock Skelton likely to miss mid-year internationals through injury

Will Skelton is helped off the field after suffering an Achilles injury last weekend.
Will Skelton is helped off the field after suffering an Achilles injury last weekend.GAIZKA IROZ / AFP

Australia lock Will Skelton said ⁠on Wednesday that his season is over, after suffering ‌an Achilles injury while playing ‌for French Top 14 ‌side La Rochelle over the ‌weekend.

The 33-year-old, who has endured ‌a difficult run with injuries, limped off in the first ‌half of La Rochelle's ⁠26-15 ‌loss to Bayonne.

It marked only his ​second outing since a calf injury ruled ​him out in early January.

"Season cut short. Thanks for all ⁠your ​messages," Skelton wrote on Instagram. "Always grateful, see you next year."

Skelton, who captained Australia at the ‌2023 Rugby World Cup, was also ruled out of two tests against Ireland and France in Wallabies' end-of-season tour last November, after sustaining an ankle injury while playing club rugby in ‌France.

The latest setback is likely ​to see Skelton miss ‌Australia's opening fixtures in the Nations Championship in July as well as the test against Japan on August ⁠8.