Ireland play their summer opener against Australia in the Southern Hemisphere series on Saturday at 11.10am Irish time.
Andy Farrell’s team will face Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney. with live coverage on Virgin Media Ireland.
Dan Sheehan will captain the Irish rugby team for its first edition. Nations Championship fixing.
Hugo Keenan will start at fullback for Ireland, with Rob Baloucoune and Jamie Osborne on the wings.
Andy Farrell chose Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey to start in midfield, with Sam Prendergast alongside Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
Joining Sheehan in the front row will be Tom O’Toole and Tadhg Furlong.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are in the second row.
The back row is made up of Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.
The attackers on the bench are Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne and Nick Timoney.
Farrell’s backline options are Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki.
Ireland team
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster), 14. Rob Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster), 13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), 12 Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster), 11. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster), 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster).
1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(captain), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), 4. Joe McCarthy (University of Dublin/Leinster), 5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), 6. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht), 7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), 8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster).
Ireland Substitutions
16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), 17. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster), 18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster), 19. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), 20. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster), 21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster), 22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster), 23. Bundee Aki (Galwegiens/Connacht).
Facts about Ireland
Ireland arrive in Sydney having won four of their last five matches, with wins over Scotland, Wales, England and Italy in the 2026 Six Nations.
Ireland have won their last five meetings with Australia, including three victories in Dublin and two on Australian soil.
Stuart McCloskey was Ireland’s best player in his last match, earning a match rating of 9.1 with 17 runs, 7 defenders beaten and 2 assists.
Ireland won 100% of their lineouts when they last met Australia in November 2025, while the Wallabies only won 68% of their own lineouts in the same match.
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