Paris: Michael Cheika rang James O'Connor to see whether the 44-Test Wallaby, who departed Australian rugby in controversial circumstances a year ago, would be available to don a gold jersey for the first time in over three years against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux next week.
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Fairfax Media can reveal Cheika made contact with O'Connor, who is plying his trade for Toulon in the Top 14, to check his availability for the tour match that separates the France and Ireland Tests in the coming week.
O'Connor, 26, had every intention of making a return for Australia, provided he was selected by Cheika, but suffered a neck injury in Toulon's 31-12 win over Stade Francais over the weekend.
Even if he did not get injured, Toulon coach Mike Ford told O'Connor and a number of other players from the club, including Drew Mitchell and Liam Gill, they would not be granted a release for the match on November 24 because they were short in the outside backs department.
Toulon is under no obligation to release O'Connor even if he was not injured, as it is not a Test match.
Even if it were a Test, O'Connor has not chalked up the required 60 caps and is not playing for a Super Rugby franchise but it is interesting nonetheless that Cheika has made contact with a player such as O'Connor.
Once the golden boy of Australian rugby, who made his Test debut as an 18-year-old, O'Connor has been no stranger to headlines over the years.
In 2013, O'Connor had his ARU contract ripped up after an alcohol-related incident at Perth airport following a Test match against Argentina. O'Connor has not played for the Wallabies since.
He went abroad to the UK before returning in 2015 to the Queensland Reds to try to win selection in Australia's World Cup squad.
Injuries curtailed his World Cup bid before he was released from his final year at the Reds due to a number of personal welfare reasons.
O'Connor still harbours Wallabies ambitions but he would need to move back to Australia for Cheika to even consider him for Test selection.
O'Connor is not the first player Cheika has made contact with in Europe for the French Barbarians match. There are a number of other players - 22-Test halfback Nic White's name has been thrown around - with Wallabies experience, who are in Cheika's little black book that will be revealed in the coming days.
Aside from the eight players who joined the Wallabies squad this week from the Baabaas – excluding Jono Lance – Cheika needs to find 23 fit players given the matchday team will be in Dublin preparing for the fourth Test of the tour.
It means he has been ringing around Europe to find out players' availabilities for the fixture in Bordeaux.
