The Wallabies will be out to start with a bang as they host Ireland in Sydney.
The Australians open their Test season for 2026 against the third-ranked team, who are coming off a narrow miss of the Six Nations title.
Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Jock Campbell returns after close to 1,300 days out of the Test arena, with the likes of Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou back on home soil.
Rugby.com.au previews all the action, presented by Bet365
WALLABIES (15-1): Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham; Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachie Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright
- Fullback Jock Campbell makes his Test return for the first time since 2022.
- Ryan Lonergan and Josh Canham make their debuts as Wallabies starters.
- Lachlan Shaw is set for his Test debut, named on the bench.
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
- Sam Prendergast has been named to start at flyhalf.
- Jamie Osborne shifts to the wing, with Hugo Keenan named to return from injury at fullback.
- Hooker Dan Sheehan skippers the side, with Caelan Doris out injured.
- The Wallabies last beat Ireland in 2016 and have lost their last five, four of which were within seven points.
- They have been held under 20 points in five of their last six games, including their 18-9 win in Brisbane.
- The Wallabies hold an 11-5 record over Ireland in Australia
Len Ikitau v Stuart McCloskey
Ikitau is the heartbeat of the Wallabies attack, coming back from England full of confidence.
The attack needs to run through the powerful centre and if he can get going, the Australians can dictate the contest.
It’s a similar story for McColskey, who is slowly emerging as one of the best midfielders in the Six Nations.
Wallabies by 5
