British and Irish Lions not taking AUNZ Invitational XV side
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Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the Lions’ first Test against Australia, who have handed a shock recall to veteran fly-half James O’Connor.
James O'Connor makes Australia return for British and Irish Lions Test series after Noah Lolesio injury - Veteran fly-half back in Wallabies fold for first time in three years ahead of Brisbane opener
J ames O'Connor is back in the Australia squad almost three years after his last Wallabies appearance, with Joe Schmidt picking the veteran fly-half in his 36-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions.
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James O’Connor has returned to a Wallabies squad almost three years after his last test when the veteran flyhalf was included to face the British and Irish Lions in the first test on July 19 in Brisbane.
O’Connor was named by Australia coach Joe Schmidt in a live selection press conference in Brisbane on Friday, ahead of next Saturday's first Test at Suncorp Stadium. The 35-year-old was called into the squad to replace Noah Lolesio, who was ruled out after undergoing neck surgery earlier in the week.
The struggle of Mack Hansen's former club Gungahlin Eagles to retain young players in the face of intense competition from better resourced local Aussie rules and rugby league clubs reflects what is happening nationally with rugby union in Australia.
Four-time British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan reveals his Test team to face Australia; Tadhg Furlong, Jac Morgan, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose included; watch every game of 2025 Lions tour,
Australia coach Joe Schmidt called up experienced flyhalf James O'Connor into his squad for the three tests against the British & Irish Lions on Friday after losing Noah Lolesio for the series.
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PlanetRugby on MSNBritish and Irish Lions team: Winners and losers as ‘wasted talent’ sits on bench while ‘daddy’s pick’ gets to play his way into Test squadFollowing the announcement of Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions team to face the AUNZ Invitational XV, we pick out our winners and losers.