Farrell makes big backline call for Ireland's Test against Wallabies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland’s Mack Hansen will make a first Test start at fullback against his native Australia on Saturday, with Sam Prendergast recalled at flyhalf to face the Wallabies in Dublin.
Canberra-born Hansen, available following a foot issue and best known as a wing, replaces the injured Jamie Osborne.
Prendergast makes his first start of the Nations Series after providing back-up for rival flyhalf Jack Crowley in Ireland’s 13-26 defeat to New Zealand on November 1 and last weekend’s 41-10 thrashing of Japan at Lansdowne Road.
Prop Paddy McCarthy has been handed a first Test start following his debut against the All Blacks and try-scoring cameo against Japan.
Stuart McCloskey returns at inside centre after overcoming a groin problem sustained against New Zealand, but Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose, who have been nursing hamstring injuries, miss out.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made nine personnel changes to the starting team against Japan, with tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and hooker Dan Sheehan in a front row featuring full debutant McCarthy, while the experienced trio of No.8 Jack Conan, scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park and left wing James Lowe also returning to the 15.
With Van der Flier unavailable and Nick Timoney on the bench, Ireland captain Caelan Doris switches from No.8 to openside flank.
Robbie Henshaw moves to outside centre to partner McCloskey in midfield, with Bundee Aki benched.
Farrell led the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory over Australia – coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt – in July and August.
Ireland have won seven of their last nine Tests against the Wallabies.
“There’s great respect and familiarity between Ireland and Australia, and Saturday is the latest renewal in a series of matches which have been pretty evenly balanced over the last number of years,” said Farrell as he announced his team on Thursday.
“There has been a good buzz around training this week, and the players are excited about the challenge that awaits.
“For us, it’s about putting in an 80-plus minute performance and to try and implement our game plan in front of what we know will be a vocal home support.”
Ireland: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Caelan Doris (captain), 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Paddy McCarthy.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Bundee Aki.
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 20.10 (20.10 GMT; 07.10 AEDT Sunday, November 16)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
