Head coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland matchday 23 for the Nations Championship clash against Australia at the Allianz Stadium.<\/p>\n
In the absence of Caelan Doris, hooker Dan Sheehan will lead the team from the front-row in the sold-out fixture.<\/p>\n
Sam Prendergast named at 10<\/p>\n
After a strong finish to the season, leading Leinster\u2019s United Rugby Championship title defence, Sam Prendergast has been entrusted with the starting fly-half role. He is partnered by clubmate Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.<\/p>\n
Prendergast earns his first start in the green jersey after he was displaced at fly-half for the last three rounds of the 2026 Six Nations, with Jack Crowley seeing out the end of the campaign. However, the Munsterman has not travelled to Australia<\/a> due to injury.<\/p>\n Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose are the starting centres. Hugo Keenan is named at full-back, and Rob Baloucoune and Jamie Osborne are the starting wingers.<\/p>\n Osborne fills James Lowe\u2019s void in the number 11 jersey after the experienced winger confirmed his departure from Ireland<\/a> after failing to agree a new deal with the IRFU and Leinster.<\/p>\n Jack Conan will earn his 60th cap for Ireland as he starts in the number eight jumper with Josh van der Flier and Cian Prendergast at openside and blindside flanker, respectively.<\/p>\n Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are the starting locks for Farrell\u2019s<\/a> side whilst captain Sheehan is flanked by loosehead Tom O\u2019Toole and tighthead Tadhg Furlong. O\u2019Toole\u2019s selection in the number one jersey is somewhat of a gamble, considering that all 15 of his starts for Ulster this season came at tighthead; however, he impressed in Ireland\u2019s final two Six Nations matches on the other side of the scrum and has been tasked with doing so again and will front up against the experienced Allan Alaalatoa.<\/p>\n Wallabies team v Ireland: Joe Schmidt\u2019s names revamped 23 as full-back ends four-year hiatus and new halfback combination named<\/a><\/p>\n Farrell has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench as R\u00f3nan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson cover the front-row while Tadhg Beirne is named amongst the replacements with Nick Timoney. Beirne makes a timely return having overcome a knee injury that he sustained in Munster\u2019s win over Ulster 10 weeks. The world-class forward shone for the British and Irish Lions in Australia 12 months ago and was named as the player of the series.<\/p>\n Brian O\u2019Driscoll reveals how call from \u2018very suc\u00adcess\u00adful busi\u00adness\u00adman\u2019 came too late to prevent James Lowe exit<\/a><\/p>\n Craig Casey will provide impact at scrum-half while the versatile Ciaran Frawley covers fly-half, centre and full-back from the number 22 jumper. Bundee Aki rounds out the matchday 23 for the Nations Championship opener.<\/p>\n