Rob Valetini and Will Skelton are expected to return to the fold for Australia's second Test against the British and Irish Lions.

Both blindside flanker Valetini and lock Skelton have suffered calf injuries ahead of their series opener, but are expected to be fit for the second match of the three-Test series next week.

Langi Gleeson, who would have been Valetini’s likely replacement, is also sidelined with injury as Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his debut.

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt revealed both Valetini and Skelton were close to being fit and would have played if this was later on in the series.

“They were right on the edge, to be honest,” said Schmidt.

“If it was the last game of the series, they would have been in the mix. We just felt it was the most judicious decision at the time.

“I’ve been pretty pragmatic about [the injuries], and I hope that the team are as well. We try not to base our whole game around any individual, we share the load and we share the excitement about the opportunity.

“I think that those things are still shared within the group. I’d like to think that we can still go out that we can put a game together that can keep the British and Irish Lions honest on the day.

“It’s funny, you put a training team together and all the guys are looking, ‘am I in [Valetini]’s team?’, to see if they might get a chance of starting. Bobby has been a very regular starter for us and a big player for us. Those are the things that happen.

“Langi [Gleeson] went well against the Fijians, and he was on the cusp as well. It is a great opportunity for Nic Champion de Crespigny, who has trained well and had a good Super Rugby season.”

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Schmidt also questioned whether his Australia side have been respected enough ahead of the Lions series.

The Wallabies are underdogs going into the first Test, but Schmidt is focused on repaying their supporters’ efforts rather than proving the doubters wrong.

Schmidt added: “I don’t know how much respect we’ve been shown [in the media].

“What I would say is we’ve been working hard. The respect we are trying to earn is from our supporters and the people who turn up to support us and [we want] to demonstrate to them that their support is really appreciated by us.

“We’re doing everything we can do earn it during that 80 minutes.”