'Surreal': Rory Arnold set to end two-year Test exile for Wallabies against Scotland

Only this time he enters the international arena as a veteran with 26 caps to his name, and a player who can "control my emotions" on the big stage and deliver in crucial moments of set piece play.

The 31-year-old thought his time in a Wallabies jersey was up when he left for France to join Stade Toulousain following the 2019 World Cup.

But now Arnold is among a Wallabies trio alongside Kurtley Beale and Will Skelton recalled by coach Dave Rennie to make their Test comebacks against Scotland at Murrayfield on Monday morning [AEDT].

When asked if he thought this day would come, the man once regarded as the tallest player in Super Rugby said "absolutely not".

MORE RUGBY UNION

"I didn't really fit that criteria of the 60 caps. I thought I was finishing my Wallabies career then," Arnold said.

"I stepped away after the World Cup thinking it was all done and dusted. It's pretty surreal and good to be back in the environment.

"[Rennie] reached out to me a couple of times in and around would I be interested. It was nice to know I was still on their radar. I think I was close to returning a couple of times but with injuries, I broke my arm, it didn't really work out."

Arnold fell well short of meeting the criteria for the Giteau Law when he left the ACT Brumbies two years ago, but Rugby Australia is poised to loosen a 60-Test mandate for overseas-based players to join the Wallabies squad.

Skelton has been named on the bench with Wallabies fans yearning to see what they've been missing out on from the giant who has flourished in Europe over the past five years.

Rennie admits there was a thought to bring just one of Arnold or Skelton into the side this week given the European-based players only joined camp inside one week ago.

But Arnold's stint under Wallabies forwards coach Dan McKellar during his time in Canberra means he already "understands the calling system and how we maul". As for Skelton, Rennie coached against him while at Glasgow and saw "a beast" who will provide impact from the bench.

Rennie says the pair have come along in leaps and bounds while playing in a more forward-orientated landscape in Europe. So Arnold and Skelton answer the call with a strong set piece knowledge and, "while they haven't played massive amounts of Tests, they've got a huge amount of experience".

"From playing up here in Europe and what I've learnt, I've just got a bit more experience around those big games, European Cup finals and the big crowds," Arnold said.

"Personally, I know how to control my emotions better and know how to settle into a game a bit better.

"They just do things a bit differently up in Europe. Playing in some big games up there and understanding in those big games how much certain moments around set piece are so vital, [I'm] a bit more relaxed in and around the big games having played a few more now.

"As for Willy, he's been going really well up here. I've played him a few times [in the Top 14] and he's been killing it, it's good to see him back in the mix as well."

SPRING TOUR

Monday: Scotland v Wallabies at Murrayfield, 1.15am. Broadcast live on Stan Sport.

Wallabies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White, 10. James O'Connor, 11. Jordan Petaia, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Andrew Kellaway. Replacements: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Will Skelton, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Kurtley Beale, 23. Izaia Perese.

Scotland squad: 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Sam Skinner, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson, 9. Ali Price, 10. Finn Russell, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 12. Sam Johnson, 13. Chris Harris, 14. Darcy Graham, 15. Stuart Hogg (c). Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Oli Kebble, 19. Jamie Hodgson, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. George Horne, 22. Adam Hastings, 23. Kyle Steyn.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: