Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team v Australia on Thursday, with the Irish head coach looking for a massive reaction after a disappointing opening to the Autumn Internationals.

Ireland were underwhelming in victory over Japan last Saturday, and will need to be far better if they are to get the better of the Wallabies on Saturday.

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Ireland v Australia team news
When will Andy Farrell name his Ireland team to face Australia?

Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team to take on Australia on Thursday afternoon. An announcement is expected around lunchtime.

 

Ireland v Australia team news – Who’s in?

Andy Farrell is certain name a stronger XV than the mixed-up selection that faced Japan last weekend.

He has been given a major boost amid an injury crisis in the back three, with the return of Mack Hansen to full training this week. Hansen missed the first two November games with a foot injury picked up on Connacht duties.

Both the Irish Independent and Irish Times reported on Wednesday evening that Hansen is likely to start at full-back against the county of his birth.

Both papers also predicted that Sam Prendergast will be given the chance to start at outhalf after deputising for Jack Crowley in Ireland’s first two games of the November window.

Stuart McCloskey returned to training this week and both the Irish Times and Indo expect him to start.

The likes of Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe are expected to return to the starting XV and Caelan Doris’s position in the backrow remains a source of intrigue considering Josh van der Flier’s injury.

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Ireland v Australia team news – Who’s out?

Ireland were dealt a blow after the Japan game, as Jamie Osborne’s shoulder injury is set to keep him out of the rest of the Autumn Internationals.

Two potential starters are both doubts for Ireland v Australia, with both Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier only making a gradual return to training this week.

Both Leinster stars are recovering from slight hamstring strains, and Ireland said a final decision on their availability would only be made on Thursday.

 

Where to watch Ireland v Australia?

Ireland v Australia kicks off on Saturday, November 15th at 8:10pm. The game is live on RTÉ 2 and TNT Sports 2 – tickets for the game are sold out.

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