Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast are two of 11 Leinster players in the Ireland team
ByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalist- Published44 minutes ago
Sam Prendergast's strong end to the season with Leinster has earned him a recall to the Ireland starting line-up for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.
The 23-year-old lost the fly-half spot to Jack Crowley during the Six Nations, but with the Munster playmaker ruled out through injury, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has rewarded Prendergast for steering Leinster to the United Rugby Championship (URC) title.
With Tommy O'Brien sidelined and James Lowe leaving Irish rugby, Farrell has opted to pick Jamie Osborne on the left wing for the match at Allianz Stadium (11:10 BST).
Tom O'Toole starts at loose-head prop, a problem position for Farrell with Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy all missing.
Stuart McCloskey, outstanding in Ireland's Triple Crown-winning Six Nations campaign, has recovered from a hamstring injury to start in midfield alongside Garry Ringrose.
However, Tadhg Beirne is fit enough only for a place on the bench as Cian Prendergast gets another chance to impress in the back row.
Fly-half duel, debuts & NZ fortress beckon for Ireland
- Published15 hours ago
North v South - the battle for global supremacy is tighter than ever
- Published1 day ago
Ireland have won their past five meetings with Australia, including a thumping 46-19 win in Dublin in November.
Mack Hansen, who scored a hat-trick of tries from full-back that night, remains sidelined after missing the Six Nations, but Hugo Keenan returns for his first Ireland appearance in 16 months.
Rob Baloucoune, who has recovered from an elbow injury following a breakout Six Nations, is named on the right wing, with Osborne on the opposite side after scoring four tries from full-back during the Six Nations.
It means there is no place for Ulster wingers Jacob Stockdale and Zac Ward or Leinster's Jimmy O'Brien.
Garry Ringrose partners McCloskey in midfield while Jamison Gibson-Park is alongside Prendergast in the half backs.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rob Baloucoune, who scored three tries during a breakthrough Six Nations campaign, starts on the right wing
With Porter and captain Caelan Doris ruled out, Farrell had tough calls to make with his pack, and he has opted to give O'Toole another run at loose-head.
O'Toole has played the majority of his career at tight-head but started two Six Nations games in the number one jersey earlier this year. The front row is completed by Dan Sheehan, who captains from hooker, and three-time British and Irish Lion tight-head Tadhg Furlong.
Leinster team-mates Joe McCarthy and James Ryan form a strong second-row pairing, while Connacht captain Cian Prendergast has been handed another big opportunity to impress at blind-side flanker.
Prendergast started Ireland's Six Nations opener against France in Paris, but his involvement in the tournament thereafter was restricted to a late cameo against England.
Farrell has opted for a split of five forwards and three backs on the bench. Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Beirne and Nick Timoney are the pack replacements, with Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki named as backline cover.
Australia boss Joe Schmidt - who will hand over the reins to Les Kiss later this summer - has picked Jock Campbell at full-back in his first Test appearance since 2022.
Wallabies record cap holder James Slipper is named as a replacement loose-head prop after reversing his retirement, while fly-half Carter Gordon and scrum-half Ryan Lonergan form a new half-back pairing.
Ireland also face Japan and New Zealand this month while Australia host France and Italy.
Line-ups
Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.
