Monday Round-Up

No return for JOC: Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie has ruled out selecting either James O’Connor or Karmichael Hunt for his side’s impending tour of Europe in November. O’Connor, who is currently plying his trade with Toulon in France having previously spent a stop gap season at London Irish in the Aviva Premiership, used to be hailed as Australia’s pin-up boy before a season of off field antics set his career trajectory into a downward spiral. Since the Lions series of last summer, O’Connor has been the forgotten man of Wallaby rugby but has this week announced that he will return to Queensland to take up a contract with the Reds ahead of next season’s Super Rugby. As for Karmichael Hunt, the current star of the AFL with the Gold Coast Sun, will be linking up with O’Connor at the Reds in the coming months. Having previously spent a brief period of time in Union with Biarritz in France. Hunt is expected to operate at outside centre or wider for the beginning of his second stint in the 15 a side version of the game. Having been impressed with his attitude upon meeting Hunt, Wallabies boss Ewen McKenzie has refused to rule out selecting Hunt beyond the November series, with one eye firmly fixed on the World Cup in 12 months time.

Potential fine for Racing: After their impressive display in overcoming reigning European and domestic champions Toulon over the weekend, the powers that be at Racing may have a problem on their hands and an impending fine. The LNR, French rugby’s governing body, are reported to be on the brink of handing Racing a hefty fine for the numbers on the backs of the players’ shirts being practically invisible. Reporters in France are suggesting that the numbers, which contain within them a mosaic of pictures of their home support, could land them a fine ranging anywhere between €5000 and €50000, for not being very apparent or perfectly legible and identifiable.

Ryan Sheady