James O'Connor has a chance to complete one of the most unlikely returns to the Wallabies, being named in the 36-player squad for the British and Irish Lions Test series. O'Connor, 35, has not played Test rugby since 2022. However, he impressed in New Zealand to help the Crusaders win the Super Rugby championship. Now Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has picked O'Connor in the squad after an injury to fly-half Noah Lolesio during last weekend's Test win over Fiji. O'Connor played in the number 10 jersey the last time the Lions toured Australia in 2013. He and prop James Slipper have the chance to join a select group of Wallabies who have played in two Lions series. The Lions are undefeated on their tour of Australia, defeating all four Super Rugby teams in tour matches. The Lions did lose the first match of the 2025 tour, a Test against Argentina in Dublin, going down 28-24. The Wallabies needed a last-minute try to defeat Fiji 21-18 in Newcastle last Sunday, the only Test in the lead-up to the three-match series against the Lions. The first Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions will be held at Lang Park in Brisbane on Saturday, July 19. Game two of the series will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, then game three at Sydney's Stadium Australia on August 2. Wallabies squad vs British and Irish Lions Matt Faessler (Reds), Billy Pollard (Brumbies), Dave Porecki (Waratahs), Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies), Angus Bell (Waratahs), James Slipper (Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Waratahs), Tom Robertson (Force), Nick Frost (Brumbies), Jeremy Williams (Force), Josh Canham (Reds), Will Skelton (La Rochelle), Harry Wilson (Reds), Fraser McReight (Reds) Rob Valetini (Brumbies), Langi Gleeson (Waratahs), Carlo Tizzano (Force), Tom Hooper (Brumbies), Nick Champion de Crespigny (Force) Jake Gordon (Waratahs), Tate McDermott (Reds), Nic White (Force), James O'Connor (Crusaders), Ben Donaldson (Force), Tom Lynagh (Reds), Len Ikitau (Brumbies), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Waratahs), Hunter Paisami (Reds), Filipo Daugunu (Reds), Tom Wright (Brumbies), Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), Dylan Pietsch (Force), Harry Potter (Force), Max Jorgensen (Waratahs), Corey Toole (Brumbies)