Schmidt rings the changes as Ireland fight to save series
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Johnny Sexton was one of eight changes announced by Ireland on Thursday as the Six Nations champions fight to save the series against unchanged Australia in the second Test in Melbourne.
Sexton returns to flyhalf in place of Joey Carbery to resume his long-standing partnership with scrumhalf Conor Murray following last week’s 9-18 defeat in Brisbane.
Coach Joe Schmidt also recalled key props Cian Healy and Tadgh Furlong as he made wholesale changes for Saturday’s game. Niall Scannel will be the hooker, with Devin Toner joining James Ryan in the second row.
Openside flank Dan Leavy gets his chance to curb the breakdown dominance of Australian pair Michael Hooper and David Pocock, with Peter O’Mahony to captain the side from blindside flank.
Gary Ringrose replaces Bundee Aki in the centres, with Andrew Conway named on the right wing in place of Jacob Stockdale.
Ireland lost their unbeaten run of 12 internationals against the Wallabies in Brisbane, and have not won a Test in Australia since 1979.
Australia coach Michael Cheika named an unchanged line-up for the first time in his 46 games in charge, after taking the reins in November 2014.
He opted for no changes despite the availability after injury of flanker Ned Hanigan (knee) and lock Rory Arnold (suspension).
There was talk he would rush back Hanigan into the team to strengthen the line out, which was one area that wobbled in the first Test.
Caleb Timu maintained his position in the back row and even with Cheika keeping a six-two forwards-backs split on the bench, Arnold could not oust Rob Simmons or Lukhan Tui for a spot among the reserves.
Ireland last played Australia in Melbourne in 2008, when the Wallabies won 18-12.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Christiaan Stander, 7 Dan Leavy, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.
Date: Saturday, June 16
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 20.05 (11.05 UK & Ireland time; 10.05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Agence France-Presse
