Ireland team: Andy Farrell rewards Sam Prendergast’s fine form as world-class forward makes long-awaited return to torment Wallabies again
Tadhg Beirne and an inset of Sam Prendergast.
Head coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland matchday 23 for the Nations Championship clash against Australia at the Allianz Stadium.
In the absence of Caelan Doris, hooker Dan Sheehan will lead the team from the front row in the sold-out fixture.
Sam Prendergast named at 10
After a strong finish to the season, leading Leinster’s United Rugby Championship title defence, Sam Prendergast has been entrusted with the starting fly-half role. He is partnered by clubmate Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.
Prendergast earns his first start in the green jersey after he was displaced at outhalf for the last three rounds of the 2026 Six Nations, with Jack Crowley seeing out the end of the campaign. However, the Munstermann has not travelled to Australia due to injury.
Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose are the starting centres. Hugo Keenan is named at full-back, and Rob Baloucoune and Jamie Osborne are the starting wingers.
Osborne fills James Lowe’s void in the number 11 jersey after the experienced winger confirmed his departure from Ireland after failing to agree a new deal with the IRFU and Leinster.
Jack Conan will earn his 60th cap for Ireland as he starts in the number eight jumper with Josh van der Flier and Cian Prendergast at openside and blindside flanker, respectively.
Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are the starting locks for Farrell’s side whilst captain Sheehan is flanked by loosehead Tom O’Toole and tighthead Tadhg Furlong. O’Toole’s selection in the number one jersey is somewhat of a gamble, considering that all 15 of his starts for Ulster this season came at tighthead; however, he impressed in Ireland’s final two Six Nations matches on the other side of the scrum and has been tasked with doing so again and will front up against the experienced Allan Alaalatoa.
Farrell has opted for a 5-3 split on the bench as Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson cover the front row while Tadhg Beirne is named amongst the replacements with Nick Timoney. Beirne makes a timely return having overcome a knee injury that he sustained in Munster’s win over Ulster 10 weeks. The world-class forward shone for the British and Irish Lions in Australia 12 months ago and was named as the player of the series.
Craig Casey will provide impact at scrum-half while the versatile Ciaran Frawley covers fly-half, centre and full-back from the number 22 jumper. Bundee Aki rounds out the matchday 23 for the Nations Championship opener.
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Ireland team v Australia
Ireland:15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jamie Osborne, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Tom O’Toole
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki
Date: Saturday, 4 July, 2026
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:10 (local Sydney), 11:10 (UK), 12:10 (France), 12:10 (South Africa), 20:10 (AEST), 22:10 (New Zealand), 07:10 (Argentina), 19:10 (JST), 06:10 (EDT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU) and Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
Broadcasters: ITV (United Kingdom), TF1 (France), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), Wowow (Japan), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa)
READ MORE: Latest World Rugby rankings: Springboks lead the way ahead of Nations Championship
