One of Australian rugby's most colourful and controversial characters could be in line for a shock recall to the Wallabies squad in time for the World Cup in Japan.
Utility back James O'Connor has not worn the famous gold jersey since Australia's 14-13 victory over Argentina in September, 2013.
But reports in his homeland claim Rugby Australia are considering putting in an offer for the 28-year-old 44-times capped player to return to Super Rugby at the latter end of 2020 making him available for this autumn's World Cup.
It's reported former Wales and Ospreys boss Scott Johnson, the new director of rugby with the Wallabies, has been in contact with the Sale Sharks playmaker and is impressed how O'Connor has turned his personal life and playing career around.
And his transformation could well give O'Connor the chance to return to the international fold in time for World Cup campaign that includes a massive Pool D clash with 2019 Six Nations champions Wales at the Tokyo Stadium on September 29.
O'Connor, who was somewhat of a young superstar, has be embroiled in some high profile controversies since making his Wallabies debut against Italy back in 2008.
In 2013, he was released from his contract with Rugby Australia after he was removed from Perth airport for a drunken incident.
More recently, he was arrested in Paris alongside former All Blacks star Ali Williams on suspicion of trying to buy cocaine in February 2017.
Following the Parisian drug scandal, he was released from French club Toulon and joined Sale ahead of the 2017-18 season.
Trouble-prone O'Connor, who was fined by police for using cocaine, not for buying or possessing it, was not fined by the Top 14 disciplinary chiefs, but instead ordered to attend behavioural awareness programs alongside Williams.
However, O’Connor appears to have turned his life around, having turned to meditation and, following a training camp in Iceland last year, he has spoken out about his mental health and his ambitions on representing the Wallabies at the World Cup once again.
“I now know who I was but more importantly, I now see who I must become,” he wrote on Instagram last September.
“It is time for me to share my truth. I have a deep desire to play for the Wallabies again. I have learnt from my mistakes and I am now ready. Ready to bleed green and gold. Ready to bleed for my brothers. Ready to bleed for the people.
“I will be back playing in October and I will have my eye firmly on the World Cup. I will not let myself or anyone down again. Time to shine!”
O’Connor has just one season remaining on his three-year deal with Sale in the Gallagher Premiership.
If he were to sign with an Australian club for the latter stages of next year’s Super Rugby competition and the 2021 campaign, then he would become available for this year’s World Cup, despite not meeting the 60-Test threshold required for overseas-based players who haven’t committed themselves to returning to the competition.
Former Leicester Tigers star Matt Toomua and Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Nic White have secured similar deals to make themselves eligible for national selection.
