Nations Championship: Australia v Ireland, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 11.10am Irish time
Speaking of Osborne, our reporter John O’Sullivan has taken a stab at analysing why Farrell went for the centre/fullback on the left wing.
You can read the fully developed thoughts here.
It’s not a surprise that the Ireland head coach has turned to a player who has predominantly delivered, no matter what the remit, for Saturday’s game against Australia. There are similarities to Lowe in some of Osborne’s attributes, the power in a 6ft 4in frame, his work-rate off the wing and a thumping left boot.
— John O’Sullivan
After playing fullback during the Six Nations, Jamie Osborne lines out on the wing today. Photograph: INPHO
Instant reaction to the Baloucoune news? Ireland have lost their pace on the flanks.
With both Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien out, the profile of winger available has changed dramatically. Jimmy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne undoubtedly have their strengths. Both are good distributors and are left-footed kicking options. Osborne brings plenty of power in contact as well.
But neither possess top end speed. Max Jorgensen, one of the Australian wings, definitely does. One to watch tonight.
Jimmy O’Brien walks out of the tunnel into the Allianz Stadium. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho
Late team change🚨
Rob Baloucoune is out with a hamstring injury.
Jimmy O’Brien comes into the XV.
Joe Schmidt was asked during the week if he’d be keen on replacing Leo Cullen at Leinster because, well, why not?
He played a straight bat.
Here’s how the Wallabies line out. Of course, this is the beginning of the end for Schmidt, the former Leinster and Ireland boss handing over to another man familiar to Irish rugby, Les Kiss, after this round of Nations Championship matches.
Jock Campbell is the man to get the nod at 15 after some speculation in the local press. Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson reprise the backrow that caused the Lions some problems last year, while Len Ikitau and Joseph Aukuso-Suali’i form a dynamic centre pairing.
In one way, this two-week stretch in Australia is a window into how Ireland will be supported at next year’s World Cup. It’s a sell-out in Sydney, County Coogee out in force.
Multiply that by a fair bit when the World Cup kicks into gear next autumn, you would imagine.
A view of the Sydney Harbour bridge with the Fitzgerald family from Cork ahead of the game. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho 
Ireland fans Shane Enright from Limerick and Luke Harrington from Wexford living in Airlie Beach. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho 
Wallabies and Ireland fans before the Nations Championship match between Australia Wallabies and Ireland at Allianz Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images
Let’s start with the Ireland team news. The headline is that with Jack Crowley injured, Sam Prendergast has won the battle of the Leinster 10s to start. Perhaps unsurprising given his performances that put him ahead of Harry Byrne and Ciarán Frawley in the URC knockouts.
With James Lowe having bid adieu to Irish rugby, Jamie Osborne gets first dibs at taking over the 11 jersey. Tommy O’Brien, who spent plenty of the Six Nations on that flank, misses this tour through injury.
As does Caelan Doris, meaning Jack Conan starts at eight while Dan Sheehan captains. Cian Prendergast is rewarded for his Connacht form with a start at six.
With a litany of injured looseheads, Tom O’Toole moves across from tighthead to start in the one shirt.
Good morning everyone and welcome along to our coverage of Australia vs Ireland. Andy Farrell and co return to action for the first time since the end of the Six Nations.
It’s rugby in July, Ireland kicking off a three-week tour that sees them also play Japan in Newcastle, New South Wales, before travelling to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks.
Nathan Johns here to guide you through all the action as it happens in Sydney. Kick-off is at 11.10am and we’ll build up to it right here.
It’s a sell-out in Sydney as Ireland and Farrell go up against Schmidt, a familiar foe with Australia at this stage.