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.

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.

Veteran playmaker James O’Connor has answered Australia ’s fly half SOS ahead of the British and Irish Lions series, with the 35-year-old given a shock Wallabies recall. O’Connor returns to Joe Schmidt ’s squad for the three Tests against the tourists after the hosts lost first-choice No 10 Noah Lolesio to injury in their win over Fiji last week.