James O’Connor

Former Wallabies backline star James O’Connor is returning to Australian rugby after year-long exile in Europe, saying he has matured and is ready to resume his 44-Test career.

O’Connor was released from his Australian Rugby Union contract after a series of off-field incidents and forced to continue his career in Europe when shunned by local Super Rugby teams.

Now 24, O’Connor says he has grown up and is determined to leave behind his bad boy image.

Sport24

O’Connor said “I made mistakes and it probably took me six months while I was away to come to an understanding.”

He said he learned while he was away “how I could come back on track just by working hard and doing the little things right.”