Farrell names Leinster-heavy side to face Wallabies

Thu, Jul 2, 2026, 4:51 AM
AFP
by AFP
Ireland coach Andy Farrell opted for Sam Prendergast as his playmaker for their Nations Championship opener against Australia. Photo: Getty Images
Ireland coach Andy Farrell opted for Sam Prendergast as his playmaker for their Nations Championship opener against Australia. Photo: Getty Images

Ireland coach Andy Farrell opted for Sam Prendergast as his playmaker for their Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney in a starting XV dominated by Leinster players.

The world's third-ranked team head into the clash on the back of a strong Six Nations campaign, finishing runner-up to France.

Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.

But they have been beset by injuries with a host of no-shows for their three-match tour that also includes Tests against Japan and New Zealand.

Skipper Caelan Doris is a key absentee with hooker Dan Sheehan assuming the armband.

Others missing include looseheads Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle, along with flyhalf Jack Crowley who finished the Six Nations as Ireland's first-choice No.10.

Prendergast will start at flyhalf instead, preferred to Harry Byrne, and will partner experienced scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

Hugo Keenan is at fullback with the lightning-quick Rob Baloucoune and Jamie Osborne on the wings, while the ever-dependable Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey are the centres.

In the pack, Tom O'Toole, Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong make up the front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in the second row.

Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan were named in the back row.

Leinster provide 11 of the starters and have three more players on the bench.

Ireland have won their last five matches against Australia dating back to 2018, most recently in Dublin last year when they stormed to a 46-19 victory.

Ireland (15-1): Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Cian Prendergast; James Ryan, Joe McCarthy; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tom O'Toole

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki

Share
Wallabies v Ireland: How to watch Test in Australia, teams, fixtures and more
Ruben Love has been handed the start at flyhalf for the All Blacks. Photo: Getty Images
New playmaker Love to open Rennie's All Blacks era against France
Lachlan Shaw is set to become the latest Wallaby bled by Joe Schmidt. Photo: Getty Images
Shaw thing: Schmidt confident Brumbies debutant is built to walk with the Lions
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has handed Jock Campbell his Test comeback, naming the Reds star at fullback to face Ireland on Saturday in Sydney. Photo: Getty Images
Campbell selected for Test return, Shaw set for debut as Wallabies name side for Ireland