James O’Connor earns Wallabies recall as squad named for Lions Test series

byNews Rugby July 10, 2025

35-year-old veteran selected after last playing for Australia in 2022
James Slipper included in 36-player squad to face British & Irish Lions

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made an eleventh-hour call to James O’Connor to include the forgotten fly-half in Australia’s 36-player squad for the Test series against the British & Irish Lions, which begins next week in Brisbane.

The former Reds No 10 last played for the Wallabies in 2022, but helped the Crusaders to a Super Rugby Pacific title this year in a role coming off the bench.