Wallabies team v Ireland: Joe Schmidt relishing ‘big occasion’ as he makes six changes including returning star
Fraser McReight returns for the Wallabies against Ireland.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has made six changes to his starting team for their final Autumn Nations Series clash, against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
There is a fresh prop duo fronting up this week as James Slipper and Taniela Tupou replace Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa, who are named among the replacements.
The experienced pair combine with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa in the front-row, with Billy Pollard again on the bench as Matt Faessler remains on the sidelines.
Fraser McReight returns
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams pair up in the second-row, with the latter lock having recovered from the illness which ruled him out of the Scotland match last week.
Fraser McReight also returns to their starting line-up and he will reunite with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and captain Harry Wilson in a strong loose forward trio.
Valetini is one of three players including Andrew Kellaway and Alaalatoa who have played in all 13 Tests for Australia this year in an impressive achievement.
Max Jorgensen starts on the left wing in the final alteration to the starting team, joining right winger Kellaway and full-back Tom Wright in the back three.
Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio will line up for their 29th Tests for Australia in the halves, with Len Ikitau and Joseph Suaalii to partner in the midfield once again.
Pollard, Bell and Alaalatoa form the replacement front-row options, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Langi Gleeson the remaining forward cover for boss Schmidt.
Tate McDermott is the replacement scrum-half while Tane Edmed is set to become Wallaby number 990 and the 19th Australian debutant this year if he features.
Last weekend’s try scorer on debut, Harry Potter, has been named as the outside back option on the bench, as Australia boss Schmidt looks forward to the occasion.
“It’s been a challenging year where we have grown a bit as a squad, and we have an opportunity to challenge ourselves again against what is a settled and cohesive Ireland team,” he said.
“It’s going to be a big occasion at the Aviva with the 150th anniversary celebrations so I hope those in attendance get to enjoy a really good spectacle.”
Wallabies team to face Ireland
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Harry Potter
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)
