O'connor Returns To Australia Squad To Face Lions

James O'Connor is backmost successful nan Australia squad almost 3 years aft his past Wallabies appearance, pinch Joe Schmidt picking nan seasoned fly-half successful his 36-man squad to look nan British and Irish Lions.

After an injury to Noah Lolesio, his first-choice 10, Schmidt was ray connected acquisition astatine fly-half and has gone for O'Connor, who has conscionable won Super Rugby pinch nan Crusaders and has been picked up of veterans Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale.

Ben Donaldson and nan callow Tom Lynagh are nan different 10s successful nan squad that will look nan Lions successful nan first Test successful Brisbane connected 19 July.

O'Connor, 35, is now successful contention to make immoderate history. He started each 3 Tests against nan Lions successful 2013 and is successful statement to go only nan 3rd Australian to return connected nan Lions successful 2 campaigns successful a row.

The flanker George Smith did it successful 2001 and 2013 and existent prop James Slipper will besides do it, barring injury, successful nan coming weeks.

Will Skelton, nan man-mountain lock, and Rob Valetini, nan powerful backmost row, some make it contempt being troubled by injury. They're some still fighting to beryllium fresh for nan opening Test successful Queensland.

The gargantuan prop, Taniela Tupou, has been included contempt sounding almost resigned to not being progressive aft galore injuries person impacted connected his influence.

He's heading for Paris adjacent play but Schmidt is keeping Tupou progressive pinch nan Wallabies for now, presumably successful nan dream that nan immense subordinate of a fewer years backmost tin find himself again.

"We are excited by what's to come," said Schmidt. "The Lions are going to bring immoderate they've sewage and immoderate they've sewage is power, spot successful extent and an expertise to play astatine a gait that conscionable unpicks teams."

Forwards (20): Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson

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