Injuries to Andrew Kellaway and Rob Valetini, as well as the retirement of Nic White, were factors in Joe Schmidt’s latest team selection, but so too has form – most notably in his decision to back O’Connor to start.
The South African Pollard finished up his three-year stay at the Tigers with an 80-minute appearance in the Premiership final that was lost to Bath last June at Allianz Twickenham.
In his latest column, David Campese reflects on the Wallabies' win over the Springboks at Ellis Park that kick started their Rugby Championship campaign.
