Dempsey back for Ireland
Leinster full-back given start for Wallabies Test
A starting berth for Girvan Dempsey is one of just two changes made by Eddie O'Sullivan for the test against Australia in Perth on Saturday.
Dempsey starts at full-back, with Geordan Murphy dropping to the bench and Denis Hickie out of the squad altogether.
Jeremy Staunton replaces Hickie in the matchday 22, taking the reserve fly-half spot on the bench which Dempsey had filled last week.
O'Sullivan stressed Murphy was not demoted for any particular failings in the recent defeats to New Zealand.
"I don't think he is on top of his game at the moment, and I think he would be the first to admit that," O'Sullivan said.
"I said at the start of the tour I would try and pick the best team each week."
Murphy remains on the bench to cover the back three, while Wasps fly-half Jeremy Staunton earns a place among the reserves, with veteran wing Denis Hickie omitted from the squad.
O'Sullivan was impressed with Australia in their two Tests against England, which saw John Connolly's men reclaim the Cook Cup.
"I don't know what the average score was in the first two Tests, but they look like they have hit the ground running," he said.
"Their back line are firing, they're playing some very accurate rugby and running some great lines.
"An aspect of rugby I've always admired is Wallaby back play, and I've tried to follow that myself to a fair degree.
"I think they have taken a fair bit of pressure off the Wallaby pack, and given them a chance to get their game together."
O'Sullivan also leapt to the defence of fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who was blamed for the defensive lapses that ultimately cost Ireland the second Test against New Zealand, when All Blacks fly-half Luke McAlister brushed the lighter Irishman aside in a five-metre charge for the line.
But O'Gara has been retained for the clash with the Wallabies, with O'Sullivan retaining full confidence in him.
"Ronan is not the biggest back in world rugby," O'Sullivan said.
"He's an incredibly skilful player and runner of the game.
"What happens in modern rugby is that the opposition try to set up a mismatch with a guy who is 10 kilos heavier. It's a car wreck.
"And that's what happened on Saturday night. It's a bit like a dump truck hitting a bike.
"He keeps working on his defence but occasionally he gets caught."
Ireland: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Neil Best, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Keith Gleeson, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Jeremy Staunton, 22 Geordan Murphy.
Date: Saturday June 24
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick-off: 20:00 (12:00 GMT)
Officials: tbc
