IRELAND HEAD COACH Andy Farrell has named Sam Prendergast to start at out-half against Australia on Saturday [KO 8.10pm, RTÉ/TNT], while Mack Hansen returns from injury at fullback.

22-year-old Prendergast comes into the starting XV in place of Jack Crowley, who moves to the Irish bench for the visit of Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.

22-year-old loosehead prop Paddy McCarthy, who has won his first two caps off the Ireland bench in recent weeks, gets his first Test start in the number one shirt.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris shifts from number eight to openside flanker, making his third Test start there.

Hansen has recovered from the foot injury that has limited him to one appearance for Connacht so far this season. Having been added to the Irish squad at the start of this week, he comes straight in for his first international start at number 15, replacing the injured Jamie Osborne.

Hansen has mainly played on the right wing for Ireland, as well as getting a couple of caps on the left, but he has started at fullback for Connacht 11 times over the last five seasons.

Hansen comes into a back three that sees James Lowe returning on the left wing after sitting out Ireland’s win over Japan last weekend, while Tommy O’Brien continues on the right wing.

With Garry Ringrose still sidelined by a hamstring issue, Robbie Henshaw moves to outside centre as Stuart McCloskey returns from a groin injury at number 12.

Prendergast is partnered in the halfbacks by Jamison Gibson-Park, who also sat out the win over Japan.

The front row sees Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong come straight back in, while McCarthy gets his first starting chance after doing well off the bench in recent weeks. James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne continue in the second for the third consecutive game.

With Josh van der Flier absent due to a hamstring injury, Doris shifts into the number seven shirt, where he started two Tests for Ireland during the 2023/24 season. Jack Conan comes into the starting side at number eight, while Ryan Baird continues at blindside flanker.

The Irish bench includes Nick Timoney, who started against Japan last weekend, and Cian Prendergast, who provided notable impact last time out. Bundee Aki returns to the matchday squad in the number 23 shirt.

Ireland (v Australia):

15. Mack Hansen
14. Tommy O’Brien
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Paddy McCarthy
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Ryan Baird
7. Caelan Doris (captain)
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Andrew Porter
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Nick Timoney
20. Cian Prendergast
21. Craig Casey
22. Jack Crowley
23. Bundee Aki

Referee: Karl Dickson [RFU]. 

Written by Murray Kinsella and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.