Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has welcomed back three of his key forwards for Saturday’s crunch Test against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The experienced coach has also refused to jump at calls to change his backline by going in with the same men that started in the series opening defeat in Brisbane a week ago.

In total, Schmidt has made four changes, including three to the starting side.

Hooker David Porecki will start against the British and Irish Lions at the MCG. (Photo by Adam Pretty – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

As revealed by The Roar, Dave Porecki – the 32-year-old, who led the Wallabies in three Tests at the 2023 World Cup – returns at hooker, while lock Will Skelton and blindside flanker Rob Valetini have also been named to start after missing the opening match with calf injuries. Reds hooker Matt Faessler and loose-forward Nick Champion de Crespigny have been left out, while lock Jeremy Williams drops back to the bench.

Schmidt has also named a 6-2 forwards-heavy bench, with explosive back-rower Langi Gleeson also returning from a minor injury.

Halves Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson are the only two backs on the bench.

“The squad has recovered well after a very physical first test and the week’s preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together,” Schmidt said in a statement, with the former Ireland head coach to speak to the media in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon.

“We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we’ll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night.”

Tom Lynagh will start for the second straight Test at flyhalf. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The decision to name the extra forward comes with a forecast of up to ten millimetres of rain on Saturday.

Just how many minutes giant lock Will Skelton gets through remains to be seen after not playing a match in more than six weeks.

More to come

Wallabies (1-15): James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson