James O'Connor signs new deal with Queensland Reds

Queensland Reds have announced that veteran Wallabies fly-half James O'Connor has signed a new deal with the club that also includes a coaching clause.

Having missed out on the Rugby Championship selection, O'Connor will now mentor the young talents in the club including the likes of Tom Lynagh, Lawson Creighton and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as he makes a transition from a player to coaching role.

The 33-year-old has a vast experience in Super Rugby where he had represented Force and Rebels apart from a two-stint association with Reds taking his tally to 122 caps. He also had represented West Harbour, London Irish, Toulon and Sale Sharks in the past.

He made his Test debut for Australia in 2008 and has 64 Test caps to his name including 10 appearances in the Rugby World Cup.

"I feel very privileged to be staying in Queensland," he told the club's official website.

"This is my home, my team and an opportunity to continue playing with a group of men I have a lot of love and respect for.

"Since returning home in 2019, there’s been many highs with the club and also a lot of learnings.

"I feel there is so much this group can achieve and I believe with our new world class facility and under a coaching staff headed by Les, we can really find our next gear.

"This contract also allows me to deliver on one of the main reasons I came back to Australia - to help develop the next generation of Rugby talent here at the Reds and also through coaching the junior pathways, which has been a passion of mine for some time."