Sam Prendergast retains Ireland out-half berth for Wallabies Test
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has retained Sam Prendergast at out-half for the Autumn Nations Series clash with Joe Schmidt's Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off, 3.10pm).
Leinster ten Prendergast has been given the nod over Munster's Jack Crowley, who started the loss to New Zealand and has been Farrell's first-choice out-half following Johnny Sexton's retirement post-World Cup 2023.
21-year-old Prendergast came off the bench for Crowley in the win over Argentina before impressing from the start in the convincing victory over Fiji last time out.
BENCH DUTY: Ireland out-half Jack Crowley. Pic: Ben Brady/InphoJamison Gibson-Park comes back into the side in place of Craig Casey, with the Munster man pipping Conor Murray to a bench role after a fine display against Fiji.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe start in the Ireland back three, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw continuing their midfield partnership.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham start in the front-row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in the engine room, and Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris making up the back-row.
Cian Healy, who made his Ireland debut against Australia in November 2009, is set to break Brian O'Driscoll's Irish cap record off the bench, where he joins young Gus McCarthy, fresh from an impressive debut showing, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony as the forward reinforcements.
Backs Casey, Crowley and Garry Ringrose complete 23.
“Saturday’s Test match is a significant milestone in the story of Irish rugby," head coach Farrell said. "Aside from the 150th celebrations, for Cian (Healy) it presents the opportunity to break the Test cap record, which is a remarkable achievement considering the robustness of his position.
"Cian is a giant of Irish rugby and we are determined to provide him with a performance that he deserves.
“We have seen steady improvements over the last few weeks and the visit of a strong Wallabies presents another challenge for the squad. There has been a collective determination to drive forward and finish the Autumn Nations Series on a high.”
Ireland: H Keenan; M Hansen, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, F Bealham; J McCarthy, J Ryan; T Beirne, J van der Flier, C Doris.
Replacements: G McCarthy, C Healy, T O'Toole, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, C Casey, J Crowley, G Ringrose.
Australia: T Wright; A Kellaway, J Suaalii, L Ikitau, M Jorgensen; N Lolesio, J Gordon; J Slipper, B Paenga-Amosa, T Tupou; N Frost, J Williams; R Valetini, F McReight, H Wilson.
Replacements: B Pollard, A Bell, A Alaalatoa, L Salakaia-Loto, L Gleeson, T McDermott, T Edmed, H Potter.
