Skelton first Barbarians player to be sent off

LONDON - Giant Australian lock Will Skelton has become the first Barbarians FC player to ever receive a red card.

England were trailing 19-11 at the interval after a mixed first half consisting of a solitary try for Joe Cokanasiga.

The Barbarians led the try count 3-1 but they were reduced to 14 men after the 6 foot 8 inch Skelton was sent off for a shoulder to the head tackle of Patrick Schickerling.

Skelton hit England rookie Schickerling with head high shoulder shot, although he made an effort to wrap and hold the Exeter

Chiefs prop upright after the collision.

Ugo Monye observed wryly: “Two yellows in the #GallagherPrem final and Will Skelton gets a red for that. Not surprised at the confusion right now.”

Skelton’s selection has left the invitation side’s French coach Fabien Galthie wondering why the big man isn’t more of a regular fixture still for the Wallabies.

“Will is big and good and clever. I don’t know why he is not an international player now – maybe they manage players in their country, and overseas maybe not – but in this case it is an opportunity for us because Will wanted to play with George Kruis,” said Galthie.

“It is like a present for George because they played at Saracens years ago. It is a nice story.”

Skelton did feature with a 19th cap for Australia in the loss to Scotland at Murrayfield last November, his first appearance in the green and gold for five years.

Skelton last month led La Rochelle to a 24-21 win against Leinster in the European Champions Cup Final in Marseille, in which he was outstanding.