Ireland v Australia: Our panel of experts deliver their verdicts on ...

Sam Prendergast goes through his paces at Ireland's captain's run at the Aviva Stadium. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Joe Schmidt’s Australia will be well prepared and their coach will have developed strategies to unsettle Ireland, but Andy Farrell’s men are too experienced and much further down the line to come undone.

Ireland 25 Australia 17

CIAN TRACEY

Two teams that are at very different stages of their development, expect Joe Schmidt to have a trick or two up his sleeve, but Andy Farrell to sign off ahead of his Lions sabbatical with a more complete performance, and a big Ireland win to go with it.

Ireland 32 Australia 18

SINÉAD KISSANE

This Test comes loaded with so many storylines that the result seems pointed in one direction only. Test to mark 150th anniversary of IRFU. Cian Healy’s record-breaking day. Last game before Farrell takes Lions leave. Return of the coach who outsmarted Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final and if any coach can smell a weakness it will be Joe Schmidt. But Ireland to sign off 2024 with a win.

Ireland 29 Australia 20

TONY WARD

Without losing the run of ourselves, the smart money is back on Ireland given what transpired in the Aviva and at Murrayfield a week ago. While we produced our best over Fiji and the Wallabies their worst against the Scots, it’s still all to play for. The call at out-half is a tough one on Jack Crowley given what has gone before, but Sam Prendergast will deliver. Let’s just hope that behind the scenes Crowley is being handled in the right way. Ireland to make it three from four.

Ireland 34 Australia 20

DAVID KELLY

Formlines and storylines dictate this one. Ireland are approaching some familiar form, Australia grasping uncertainly for any. Farrell is skipping away to prepare for a much bigger battle against Schmidt next summer, when Australia will be much better. For now, Ireland’s best is good enough to win handsomely.

Ireland 30 Australia 15

WILL SLATTERY

While Australia have definitely improved under Schmidt, their performance in Scotland last week indicated that a long season could be taking its toll. On what is a huge day for Prendergast, Ireland should be able to build on last weekend and pull clear.

Ireland 26 Australia 17

MICHAEL SADLIER

How much we really learned about Ireland’s trajectory from their facile win over Fiji is a moot point, but they at least arrive at today’s final Test with a sense of momentum. Australia looked jaded at Murrayfield but Schmidt will have them ready for this one. Much focus will naturally be on Prendergast, but even should the 21-year-old not quite hit his straps, Ireland should still have enough in the tank to win and send Farrell off to the Lions on a high.

Ireland 32 Australia 24