Another week, another win; but with it raised more questions than it answered. Ireland’s scrappy and stodgy disposal of Japan was reminiscent of 2020 Ireland, and far removed from their 2023 peak.

However, with Italy’s shock victory over Australia securing Ireland’s top seeding for the 2027 World Cup, the pressure is off heading into Saturday’s clash with the Wallabies.

The tickets are sold and Andy Farrell has free reign to hand out stiff tests to every layer of his depth chart, so why not?

Here’s the 23 we would select to face the Wallabies next Saturday with that in mind.

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The Ireland Team We Want To See Against Australia

Front Row: Paddy McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong

Australia are no fools when it comes to set-piece, especially with Mike Cron involved; but this could be a great baptism of fire for Paddy McCarthy.

A starting debut to add to a test debut and debut try would round out a fine month; and if partnered with Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, with Porter primed from the bench, it could bring out the best in all players.

 

Lock: Iain Henderson, Tom Ahern

A rising force in the red of Munster in recent years, Tom Ahern’s eventual Ireland selections have felt inevitable. If partnered with Iain Henderson, we could see Ahern play with a bit more freedom in midfield and more disruption at lineout time. Henderson can offer a physical defensive threat and the set-piece nous.

Ireland’s lineout has been teetering on the edge of implosion of late, so selecting two lineout specialists who can counteract Australia’s breakdown and athletic threats could help Ireland through this one.

 

Back-Row: Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris (capt), Jack Conan

A rejigged, but bolstering, back-row selection that might need explaining.

With the ages and form of the options, reverting Tadhg Beirne to six, where he cleaned up on the Lions tour, will bring the best out of him.

Jack Conan would offer a proper carrying threat that Ireland lacked against New Zealand, while Doris’ cameo at openside against Japan could have been a nonchalant nudge from Farrell towards fans and media alike.

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Half-Back: Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast

Another bold selection, but one that could work. Although none of Ireland’s four primary half-backs are ‘out of form’; experimentation is needed.

It would be beyond reckless not to hand one major start to Casey and Prendergast, with this being the ideal time to do so. With Gibson-Park and Crowley in reserve and set for the Springboks, this will get vital minutes into the former pair’s test legs and their combination.

 

Centre: Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose

The duo to be retained from Chicago, now seems like the time for Stuart McCloskey’s to make the ’12’ jersey his own. His barnstorming showing at Soldier Field reminded everyone of his test level quality, and it would be only right and just if Farrell rewarded the ‘Bangor bulldozer’ with another start in this game.

The number ’13’ jumper belongs to Garry Ringrose and he is likely to start if available. However, he is nursing a hamstring injury heading into the game.

 

Back-Three: James Lowe, Tommy O’Brien, Jacob Stockdale

A change is guaranteed in the back three following Jamie Osborne’s withdrawal from the squad due to injury, but the question is: who starts at 15?

Jimmy O’Brien stood in on Saturday and has played there a lot, but Jacob Stockdale could be the beneficiary this week. Mack Hansen is also in the frame for selection after his recall to the squad, although it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to start this weekend.

James Lowe and the in-form Tommy O’Brien look set to go again on the wings, rounding out the selection.

 

Replacements:

Gus McCarthy, Andrew Porter, Tom Clarkson, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van Der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley.

The bench reverts to a 6/2 split, with James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan all selected. Gibson-Park and Crowley are entrusted to cover the backline.

Josh van der Flier fitness is currently in doubt due to a hamstring issue, although we have included him on the bench for now.

The most important area is that of the front row, as we ask Andrew Porter to sit still for the first time since an injury-hit 2022, while also giving chances to Gus McCarthy and Lion Tom Clarkson, who are in fine form.

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