James O’Connor recalled to 36-player Australia squad for British and Irish Lions series as Joe Schmidt adds veteran experience to panel | Rugby Union News

James O’Connor returned to the Wallabies team almost three years after his last test, the veteran of half of the fly included to potentially face the British and Irish lions during the first test in Brisbane on July 19, live Sky Sports.

Australia’s head coach Joe Schmidt looked for an experience in his team of 36 men appointed Friday following a spine injury reported to his first choice playmaker Noah Golesio.

O’Connor, who started half the fly in the three games in the Lions Losing 2013 series, played the last of her 64 tests for Australia in 2022.

The inclusion of O’Connor, 35, who was part of the programming of the Super Rugby Pacific of the Crusaders this year and will play in England from September after agreeing to join Leicester Tigers, was one of the only two changes in the Australian team who faced the Fiji last weekend.

“Obviously, I had some conversations with James during the year and he had a good great season for the Crusaders,” said Schmidt.

“He stayed close. He remained connected throughout the way. So this experience can potentially help players, especially our young people 10, while they continue to progress too.”

Wallabies having a week to prepare for the first test, Schmidt did not appoint Captain.

With 20 attackers and 16 backs, there are two non -coits players in the Brumbies Wing Corey Tole and the champion of the Wespigny Western Force department included in the team.

James Slipper, the record for most of Wallabies with 144 tests, could also join O’Connor and the Retirement Test Great George Smith by playing for Australia in the consecutive series of the British and Irish lions.

“Slips will get a second shot potentially, and it’s really exciting for him,” said Schmidt. “Its longevity is something that is quite incredible in the game, and part of what makes slight slightly special is that it always challenges itself to improve.”

The attackers Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, who were not all available for the victory of 21-18 Australian against the Fiji due to calf injuries, were included.

The veteran of the half-mother Nic White will finally have the chance to play a test against the Lions after the injury excluded him from the 2013 series, while the playmaker Tom Lynagh can follow in the footsteps of his father Michael, who played against the Lions of 1989.

“As a Wallabies trainers, we tried to balance continuity with shape and freshness, but there have been very tight calls,” said Schmidt. “We are aware of the specialty of playing the British and Irish lions, so for those who are selected in the team, they will compete for test jerseys, while trying to help others prepare.

“We must improve our precision and our cohesion with a very short track leading to the first test here in eight days.”

The Lions have been 4-0 in Australia from a defeat of 28-24 against Argentina during a warm-up in Dublin, after having beat all the franchises in Australian Super Rugby. Before a victory over the Brumbies this week, they beat the Western strength, Queensland Reds and New Wales from the South Waratah.

The second test of the series was on July 26 in Melbourne before the third on August 2 in Sydney.

Australia Squad 36-Player for the first test of the British and Irish lions

Advances (20): Allan Alaalato, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Crespigny champion, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McREight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jérémy Williams.

Backs (16): Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aaukuso Suaalii, Corey Too, Nic White, Tom Wright

Visit of the British and Irish Lions in Australia on Sky Sports

Sky Sports will exclusively show the tour of the British and Irish lions in 2025 in Australia, with the three tests against the Wallabies and six warm -up matches to show exclusively live.

Howden Insurance – Senior Partner and Sponsor in front of the British and Irish lions shirt. Learn more here.