James O’Connor has made a sensational return to the Australia squad for the forthcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions. The veteran 64-cap back, 35, has not played for the Wallabies since 2022 but was included in a revised 36-man squad named by head coach Joe Schmidt on Friday.

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 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.