James O'Connor has made a triumphant return to the Australia squad almost three years after his last appearance for the Wallabies. Head coach Joe Schmidt has selected the veteran fly-half in his 36-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions in the highly anticipated Test series. This decision comes after an injury to Noah Lolesio, Schmidt's first-choice number 10, left the team lacking experience in the fly-half position.

O'Connor, who recently won Super Rugby with the Crusaders, has been chosen over seasoned players Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale. The squad also includes Ben Donaldson and the young Tom Lynagh as other options for the fly-half role. The first Test is set to take place in Brisbane on 19 July.

"It hasn't sunk in yet, it is very surreal," O'Connor said. "I feel like I've been building towards this for quite a while in my role for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, tailoring it in a way for a possible opportunity to play in the Lions series."

At 35 years old, O'Connor is now in contention to make history. He started all three Tests against the Lions in 2013 and is poised to become only the third Australian to face the Lions in two consecutive campaigns. George Smith achieved this feat in 2001 and 2013, and current prop James Slipper is also set to do the same, barring any injuries.

O'Connor's standout moment last season came in April when he kicked a match-winning penalty in injury time against the Blues. "Of course I want the starting spot [in the Lions series]," he added. "Maybe the other guys have the first bite at the cherry as they were in the first squad. I've said to Joe in the past, if there is anything I can do to help with knowledge I can share."

Schmidt revealed that he has been in touch with O'Connor "for a long time." O'Connor, who has played in two World Cups and earned 64 caps for Australia, brings a wealth of experience to the team. The younger fly-halves, Donaldson and Lynagh, have a combined total of 20 caps, making O'Connor's experience invaluable.

"Our 10s are young in experience," Schmidt said. "I spoke to Tom Lynagh about the influence James had on him and his development [at Queensland Reds] which was positive."

The squad also includes key players like Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, both of whom are battling injuries but are expected to be fit for the opening Test. Taniela Tupou, despite recent injuries, has been included in the squad, with Schmidt hoping the prop can rediscover his past form.

Schmidt has yet to name the captain for the series, emphasizing the need to ensure the chosen leader is fully fit. Harry Wilson, who recently captained the Wallabies to a victory over Fiji, is a strong contender for the role.

The Wallabies squad is gearing up for an epic showdown against the British and Irish Lions, with O'Connor's return adding a layer of excitement and experience to the team. The series promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to make their mark in this historic rivalry.