Australian fly-half James O’Connor has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for the upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions, marking his return to international rugby nearly three years after his last Test appearance. O’Connor’s inclusion comes as a crucial response to a reported spinal injury suffered by first-choice playmaker Noah Lolesio, raising the stakes for the opening Test scheduled for July 19, 2025, in Brisbane.
Head coach Joe Schmidt announced the 36-player squad on Friday, seeking to inject experience into the team. O’Connor, now 35, has a wealth of international experience, having played 64 Tests for Australia. He was a key figure during the 2013 Lions series, starting at fly-half in all three matches, and adds a valuable dimension to the squad as they prepare for this high-profile encounter.
Schmidt highlighted O’Connor’s strong performance during the recent Super Rugby season with the Crusaders, stating, “I had a few conversations with James during the year, and he had a good Super season for the Crusaders. He stayed close and connected the whole way through. That experience can potentially help the players again, particularly our young 10s, as they continue to progress.”
The Wallabies have one week to prepare for the first Test, and Schmidt refrained from naming a captain, signalling a focus on team dynamics and preparation. The squad comprises 20 forwards and 16 backs, with two uncapped players, Corey Toole from the ACT Brumbies and Nick Champion de Crespigny from the Western Force, earning their first call-ups.
Veteran prop James Slipper, who holds the record for the most Wallabies appearances with 144 Tests, could join O’Connor as one of the few players to participate in consecutive British and Irish Lions series, having played in the previous encounter in 2013. Schmidt expressed enthusiasm for Slipper’s potential return, noting, “His longevity is quite incredible in the game, and part of what makes Slipper special is that he is always challenging himself to get better.”
Injuries have impacted the squad, but forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are back in contention after missing Australia’s recent 21-18 victory over Fiji. Additionally, scrum-half Nic White is set to face the Lions for the first time after being ruled out of the 2013 series due to injury. Playmaker Tom Lynagh, whose father Michael Lynagh played against the Lions in 1989, could also make a significant impact.
Schmidt emphasized the challenge of balancing continuity with fresh talent, stating, “We’re conscious of how special it is to play the British and Irish Lions, so those selected in the squad will be competing for test jerseys while also trying to help others prepare. We need to improve our accuracy and cohesion with a very short runway leading up to the first test here in eight days.”
The Lions arrive in Australia following a successful run, having won all their matches against the country’s Super Rugby franchises. Their impressive form includes victories against the Brumbies, Western Force, Queensland Reds, and New South Wales Waratahs, setting the stage for a highly competitive series.
The second Test is scheduled for July 26 in Melbourne, with the series concluding with the third Test on August 2 in Sydney. As anticipation builds for the series, fans will be eager to see how the Wallabies, led by Schmidt and strengthened by O’Connor’s return, will fare against the formidable British and Irish Lions.
