THE POM PUNISHER

Skelton learned his trade in England with Sarries but La Rochelle's Aussie lock now targeting fourth Prem scalp in Champions Cup

- ALEX SPINK

WILL SKELTON owes a debt of gratitude to English rugby for transforming his career but he has a funny way of showing it.

Saracens turned the Australian lock into a world-class player during his four years in north London.

But it came back to bite them this month when La Rochelle, the club he left them for, knocked them out of the Champions Cup.

That was Skelton's third Premiership scalp of the campaign, following Northampton and Gloucester, and he plans to make it four when Exeter play the holders in Bordeaux on Sunday for a place in the final.

The 30-year-old will then turn his attention to helping Eddie Jones' Wallabies try to break English hearts at this autumn's World Cup, with the nations likely to meet in the quarter-finals.