Ireland team v Wallabies: Andy Farrell makes bold call as prodigy handed big opportunity while Cian Healy set to break Brian O’Driscoll’s record
Ireland prop Cian Healy and fly-half Sam Prendergast.
Rookie Sam Prendergast has been given the nod for Ireland’s final Test of the Autumn Nations Series when they face the Wallabies on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has been selected ahead of Jack Crowley after impressing in the dominant victory over Fiji last weekend.
That display came after Prendergast escaped an early red card for his shoulder connecting with the head of Kitione Salawa.
He has not been cited since the game ended which means the Leinster playmaker is able to take his place alongside Jamison Gibson-Park at half-back.
Crowley on the bench
As a result, Crowley, who enjoyed an excellent Six Nations and shone against Argentina recently, has to make do with a place on the Ireland bench.
Prendergast has plenty of experience in the outside backs to help him through what could be a tricky Wallabies clash. That includes at centre where Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are the preferred partnership.
Out wide, it is once again the reliable trio of James Lowe, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan, who combine for the third time in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.
Up front, there are no surprises with Caelan Doris captaining the team from number eight. Doris is joined in the back-row by flankers Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne.
The selection of Beirne at blindside means that Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are at lock, while the front-row of Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher and Andrew Porter complete the pack.
On the bench, there is the presence of the soon-to-be most capped Ireland player Cian Healy, who will break Brian O’Driscoll’s record of 133 if he comes onto the field for his 134th appearance.
“Saturday’s Test match is a significant milestone in the story of Irish rugby. 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,” head coach Andy Farrell said.
“Cian is a giant of Irish rugby and we are determined to provide him with a performance that he deserves.”
Healy is joined on the bench by Gus McCarthy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony, who are the forward replacements, with Craig Casey, Crowley and Garry Ringrose covering the backs.
“We have seen steady improvements over the last few weeks and the visit of a strong Wallabies presents another challenge for the squad,” Farrell added.
“There has been a collective determination to drive forward and finish the Autumn Nations Series on a high.”
Ireland team to face the Wallabies
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose
Date: Saturday, November 30
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:10 GMT (Sunday, 02:10 AET)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
READ MORE: Ireland v Wallabies: Josh van der Flier’s candid verdict on facing ex-boss Joe Schmidt
