Ireland slight favourites to win in Sydney
21:29, 03 Jul 2026Updated 22:39, 03 Jul 2026
Andy Farrell(Image: t ©INPHO/Ben Brady)
Ireland open their Nations Championship campaign with an away game against Australia – the first of three away games in the summer window.
Given the competition format it is vital to start well and fast starts have not been an Ireland forte recently.
They were beaten hands-down in Paris in the 2026 Six Nations opener and remained disjointed against Italy in the second.
Andy Farrell has travelled without Munster out-half Jack Crowley and his no8 and captain Caelan Doris, both of whom are injured.
This has seen the coach restore Leinster no10 Sam Prendergast who started the opening two Six Nations games before being dropped from the matchday squad for the last three.
There was a natural replacememt for Doris close at hand and Farrell did exactly what he did with the 2025 Lions, putting Jack Conan in his place at no8.
Cian Prendergast comes in to Conan’s usual berth, no6. Dan Sheehan takes the captaincy.
Australia are playing their opening 2026 test having lost seven of their last eight game including one to Ireland in Dublin last November.
Full-back Jock Campbell returns for a first test in four years while there are worries thhey mighht not last a straigthforward muscle-match up front where, in the second-row, Josh Canham is making his first start.
Here’s what you need to know about this fixture:
Who: Australia vs Ireland
What: Nations Championship (first round of six fixtures)
Other first round NC fixtures: New Zealand v France, 8.10am, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch; Japan v Italy, 9.40am, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo; Australia v Ireland, 11.10am, Sydney Football Stadium; Fiji v Wales, 2.10am, Cardiff City Stadium; South Africa v England, 4.40pm, Ellis Park, Johannesburg; Argentina v Scotland, 8.10pm, Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
When: Saturday, July 4th
Kick-off: 8.10pm local – 11.10am Iish
Referee: Ben O’Keefe (NZ) TMO:
QUOTES CORNER
Ireland Coach Andy Farrell on selecting Sam Prendergast again: “The way that he’s handled the last month is a credit to him in regards to taking responsibility for the shirt and his chance to build through those last few games and finish it off with a top performance in a big game in the final. He’s once again earned the right to do that.”
Australia Coach Joe Schmidt: We don’t feel like we’re miles away, but execution of that plan is the essence of success or failure. There’s always a plan, and that plan has always got to be adaptable because Ireland will squeeze you. I know last time I was here in 2018, we felt we had an advantage. I know that the rhythm the players had from playing finals footy, that is an advantage without a doubt.”
Ireland no8 Jack Conan: “A lot of us were down here last year (with the Lions) and saw how good they could be. They had some unbelievable periods of play throughout the three Tests, and they’re not a side you can take lightly.
“Obviously, Joe [Schmidt] would know us very well and still some of the players in the group. Harry Wilson, obviously a leader for them. He was great last year in the Test matches. Rob Valetini, an unbelievable athlete as well. Fraser McReight, I think he’s number one for turnover steals in Super Rugby. They’re a pretty dynamic and fearsome trio when they’re on it.”
Betting odds: Australia 6/5 Draw 22/1 Australia 8/11
Handicap: Australia Plus-2
Popular Bets: Ireland to win both halves 2/1; each team to score 12+ points in each half 15/2; Dan Sheehan to score first try 9/1, to score anytime try 6/5; Garry Ringrose to score a try and Ireland to win 11/2
What TV channel is it on? Virgin Media, Premier Sports
LINE-UPS:
Australia: Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds); Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs), Len Ikitau (NSW Waratahs), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force); Carter Gordon (Queensland Reds), Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies); Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs), Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds), Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies), Jeremy Williams Western Force), Josh Canham (Queensland Reds), Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies), Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds), Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds, capt).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force), James Slipper (ACT Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Racing 92), Lachlan Shaw (ACT Brumbies), Tom Hooper (Exeter Chiefs), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds), Ben Donaldson (Western Force), Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies).
Ireland: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Rob Baloucoune (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Craig Casey (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht).