Australia head coach Joe Schmidt overlooks James O'Connor as Lions loom
James O'Connor is set to miss out on facing the British and Irish Lions after being left out of the Australia squad to face Fiji.
The 34-year-old out-half had been tipped to return to Joe Schmidt's squad for the Lions series, which begins on 19 July in Brisbane.
Schmidt has preferred Ben Donaldson, Noah Lolesio and Tom Lynagh as his options at number 10 for the warm-up Test against Fiji on 6 July.
Western Force back-row forward Nick Champion de Crespigny and Brumbies winger Corey Toole are the only two uncapped players in the 36-man squad.
David Porecki returns for the first time since captaining the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup, while another former skipper, La Rochelle's Will Skelton, is the only overseas-based player included.
Schmidt said: "Selection is always tight and there'll be players who are excited and those that are disappointed.
"As coaches, there was a lot of healthy, robust discussion and we think we've selected a group that will work hard and connect well as a squad.
"There's some continuity from last year, plus a few new or returning players, who have forced their way into the mix through strong performances in Super Rugby Pacific.
"This squad's immediate focus is Fiji, and we will need to hit the ground running having not been together since early January."
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