Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named Carter Gordon to start at five-eighth against Italy, 17 months after last playing for the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup.

While welcoming back Gordon, Schmidt also hasn’t ruled out veteran James O’Connor playing again for the Wallabies after the Leicester five eighth wasn’t named to travel to Italy, instead staying in England.

The Wallabies have made six changes to their match-day squad after their 18-point defeat against England last Saturday in Twickenham.

“James [O’Connor] could even be involved [for the Wallabies] next week [against Ireland]. Again, he’s a little bit like Lenny [Ikitau] in that he went straight from TRC [the Rugby Championship],” Schmidt said.

“He played all the way through to the finals, obviously, being in the Crusaders and

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