The Wallabies will open their campaign against world number three Ireland at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
It looms as a blockbuster fixture to begin the brand-new Nations Championship, with the third-ranked Irish the top side in the Northern Hemisphere.
Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Ahead of the sold-out fixture, Rugby.com.au gives you the breakdown of everything you need to know about Ireland.
Ireland had a strong 2026 Six Nations campaign, finishing as runner-up to France.
They started with a heavy defeat to France before rebounding with a narrow win over Italy.
This kicked them into life as they claimed their 15th Triple Crown, defeating England, Scotland and Wales
The Irish will face Japan and New Zealand following the Test with Australia.
Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Billy Bohan, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Cormac Izuchukwu, Sean Jansen, Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Darragh Murray, Tom O'Toole, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier, Bryn Ward
Backs: Bundee Aki, Rob Baloucoune, Harry Byrne, Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale, Zac Ward
Ireland are dealing with a host of injuries at the moment, most notably to captain Caelan Doris.
Doris was ruled out after Leinster’s URC title win alongside winger Tommy O’Brien, after initially being named for the trip to Australia.
Flyhalf Jack Crowley is out after emerging as Ireland’s first-choice 10 at the end of the Six Nations, dealing with a blood vessel issue in the back of his leg.
He joins Hansen, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird and Paddy McCarthy on the injury list.
A whole bunch of returning stars are back in Australia from that Lions campaign.
Hooker Dan Sheehan leads the line as captain, who found himself as a lightning rod for controversy on that tour, whether it was diving tries or unpunished high contact on Tom Lynagh.
Forwards Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan all return after playing big roles in the Test series
Second Test hero Hugo Keenan also returns, having scored the winner at the MCG along with Jamison Gibson-Park, Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki.
Aussie-born winger Mack Hansen is amongst those unable to make the trip down due to injury, with Andrew Porter and James Lowe.
Don’t be fooled by the injuries; there’s plenty of talent ready to make a name in the Nations Championship.
Winger Robert Baloucoune is a late bloomer, yet he has emerged as a serious weapon in the Irish backline. He picked up Rising Star of the Six Nations and recently returned for Ulster during the Challenge Cup.
Keeping with the Ulster theme, the Ward brothers, Zac and Bryn, are serious talents after earning late call-ups to the squad.
Jamie Osborne is another to watch. The versatile back got a taste of Lions action last year but has taken another step in 2026, starting every game of the Six Nations.
Ireland’s coach is very familiar to Australian fans in British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell.
Farrell has been in charge of the Irish side since 2019, taking over from current Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
He helped take down the Wallabies in 2025 with the Lions, commanding a near-perfect tour before returning to the Irish set-up.
Very good.
The overall record may favour Australia (22-16) but the recent matches sway Ireland’s way considerably.
Ireland have won the last five matches between the two teams, including their 2018 tour of Australia.
That was the last time the Wallabies defeated Ireland - an 18-9 victory in Brisbane before defeats in Melbourne and Sydney.
Ireland holds a 3-2 record over Australia in Sydney, with the Aussies' last win in 1994.
There’s an obvious connection with Joe Schmidt: the man credited with moulding Ireland to what it is today.
Prop Angus Bell even noticed the similarities within the Ulster system during his sabbatical with the club, such is the level of entrenchment.
On Bell, the prop will have plenty of inside knowledge from his stint with 10 players from his club side in the Ireland squad.
Hansen and Aussie-born prop Finlay Bealham will not make the trip down for another homecoming.
1. Tom O’Toole
2. Dan Sheenan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Sam Prendergast
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Robert Baloucoune
15. Hugo Keenan
