Wallabies name teenager O'Connor in touring team

Teenager James O’Connor is set to become the second-youngest player ever to pull on an Australia jersey after being named in the squad to tour Europe later this year.

The 18-year-old utility back was one of four new caps unveiled in Robbie Deans’ 34-man squad today, joining Western Force team-mate David Pocock, Queensland Reds fly-half Quade Cooper and New South Wales Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu.

Reds winger Digby Ioane and Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm also return after being omitted from Australia’s squad for the Tri-Nations.

All players from the Tri-Nations squad – including the injured Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu – were retained apart from flanker Rocky Elsom and lock Dan Vickerman who have moved to Europe. Elsom has signed for Ireland’s Leinster, while Vickerman will play amateur rugby after opting to resume his studies in Cambridge.

Australia will face New Zealand in Hong Kong on November 1 in the first off-shore Bledisloe Cup contest.

Tests against Italy, England, France and Wales will follow before a match against the Barbarians, which marks the 100th anniversary of the first Australia tour of the United Kingdom in 1908.

At 18 years and 80 days, O’Connor would become the second-youngest Australia debutant behind Brian Ford, who was 18 years and 90 days when he ran out against New Zealand in Brisbane in 1957.

Australia squad:

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (captain), James O’Connor, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachlan Turner.

Forwards: Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Richard Brown, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Adam Freier, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Phil Waugh.