Rory Arnold, Australia’s second row in Toulouse, said he was looking forward to hosting his fellow Wallaby Test Rock at Will Skelton in La Rochel when he met at the Top 14 playoffs in France on Saturday.
Arnold, 31, was replaced by a 30-year-old skeleton at all three Wallaby Internationals last November after joining Green and Gold for the first time in 2016.
“I’ve known Will for years. He’s a really nice guy off the field, but on the field he’s a big chunk and he likes to play at the edge,” Arnold told AFP Thursday. ..
“He’s a physical player. There are two different contrasts on and off the field. We’ll see what happens when we lock the horn this weekend.”
Arnold’s side is undefeated against visitors to Stud Ernest-Wallon this weekend since September 2019. This is a run that includes the finals of last season’s Top 14 and the European Champions Cup.
This season’s champion Toulouse has been knocked out by Leinster over the past four years, but La Rochel defeated the Irish state at the end of last month to win the tournament.
“The way they play rugby is their forward, that big power rugby, and they like to play with them on their forefoot. They did it in the final of the Europa League, and it’s It worked for them, “Arnold said.
“If we can shut down their big ball carrier, it will help a lot to get results, but we know that we have to play well to get one step closer.”
On Sunday, Australia coach Dave Rennie will nominate the team for three home tests against England in July, but Arnold is unlikely to appear in the Top 14 season following late June.
In addition, Lenny announced this week that Quade Cooper, Marika Colobate and Samu Kerevi will be picks for the series of guitar lows to play abroad.
-‘At a high price’-
Arnold, who plays with his twin brother Ritchie in Southern France, said he still wants to feature for his country, especially with the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup. rice field.
“I want to join the environment and the group,” Arnold said.
“I’m just old, but I still want to play international rugby. I’ll definitely raise my hand when asked.”
At the end of the campaign, Arnold, who is 2.08m (6ft 8in) tall, will leave the 21st French champion in an unnamed Japanese franchise.
“No matter where I play, I want to go high,” he said.
“This was an up-season and a down-season. It was a pity that we were a little closer in the Europa Cup, but the Top 14 wasn’t too bad.
“We are in the last six now. We have only a few wins now. Let’s play the best rugby this weekend and see what happens,” he added.
In another weekend playoff, the Bordeaux Begurs welcome Racing 92 after falling below Perpignan last weekend and then missing a direct spot in the semi-finals.
Equipment (GMT times)
Saturday
Toulousain v La Rochel
Sunday
Bordeaux-Begles v Racing 92 (both 1905)
