Australia back O'Connor to head to Europe

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Wallabies back James O'Connor has turned his back on rugby in Australia to take up a playing opportunity in Europe, his former Super Rugby club Western Force said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Reuters)

O'Connor, who was dumped from the Melbourne Rebels earlier this year and released from his Australian Rugby Union contract for repeated disciplinary breaches, had been in talks with the Force about a possible return to the Perth-based club.

"We have been informed by James directly that he intends to continue his playing career in Europe for the time being," RugbyWA CEO Mark Sinderberry said.

"The Western Force and RugbyWA wish him well in these endeavours."

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)