James O'Connor returns at fly-half for Australia, Scotland name experienced line-up
James O'Connor has returned to Australia line up
©PA
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has named James O'Connor at fly-half for the upcoming clash against Scotland to be played at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.
O'Connor has recovered from a groin injury and made a comeback during the Queensland leg of the Rugby Championship where he started on the bench with Dave Rennie preferring Quade Cooper in the starting line up. But, with Cooper unavailable for the end of the year internationals due to his commitment in Japan, O'Connor has claimed the kicking responsibility.
With Reece Hodge ruled out with a pectoral injury, Andrew Kellaway starts at fullback while Jordan Petaia and Tom Wright are left and right wings respectively. Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau form midfield combination while Nic Whilte has been preferred at scrum-half.
Elsewhere, Rory Arnold will make his first appearance for Australia since the 2019 World Cup and is part of the second row that also has Izack Rodda while Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper are the props with Folau Fainga’a donning the number two jersey.
Meanwhile, Scotland will be boosted by the return of Premiership players with Stuart Hogg captaining the side at fullback with Darcy Graham switching to right wing with Duhan van der Merwe at left wing. The midfield also sees Chris Harris returning joining Sam Johnson while Finn Russell returns to take the kicking responsibility.
Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Jordan Petaia, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Rob Leota, 5 Izack Rodda, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Reserves: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Kurtley Beale, 23 Izaia Perese
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg (captain), 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Reserves: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Oli Kebble, 19 Jamie Hodgson, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Kyle Steyn
