Ireland v Australia LIVE: Rugby score and result as Irish end autumn with win over Wallabies
Ireland wrapped up the autumn internationals with victory in Dublin
Ireland fought back from a halftime deficit to mark a 150th anniversary with a scruffy 22-19 victory over Australia on Saturday, sealing the victory in the last eight minutes and denying their former coach Joe Schmidt a winning return.
The home side, celebrating Irish rugby’s birthday, were 13-5 down at the break but rallied back from an error-filled first half to post a narrow success.
Ireland’s points came from tries by Josh van der Flier, captain Caelan Doris and substitute Gus McCarthy, with new flyhalf Sam Prendergast contributing a penalty and conversion and his replacement Jack Crowley a conversion.
Max Jorgensen scored Australia’s lone try, with Noah Lolesio kicking over four penalties and a conversion, as they lost for a second straight week after Scotland beat them last Sunday.
Australia team news
Australia have been boosted by the availability of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after a wrist injury that forced his substitution after half-an-hour against Scotland was not as bad as first feared. Will Skelton is unavailable having returned to France with this fixture falling outside World Rugby’s mandated Test window, so the return of Nick Frost from illness is welcome, while Fraser McReight and Taniela Tupou also start to bolster the pack. Playmaker Tane Edmed, who enjoyed an excellent campaign in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship with North Harbour, is in line for a debut off the bench.
Ireland team news
Andy Farrell has boldly backed youngster Sam Prendergast at fly half after a mixed first international outing against Fiji last week. The rest of the Irish side is otherwise at full strength with the exception of the injured front row pair of Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. On the bench, Cian Healy is primed to surpass Brian O’Driscoll as the most capped Irishman in history when he makes his 134th appearance.
How to watch
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 2pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Ireland v Australia
Andy Farrell’s side have bounced back from defeat to New Zealand with victories over Argentina and Fiji, and will be keen to secure a winning finish before their head coach begins his sabattical ahead of next summer’s British & Irish Lions series.
This will offer Farrell a good look at the Wallabies side the touring group will take on last summer, and hopes of a competitive series have been boosted by encouraging performances from Australia this month.
While a disappointing showing against Scotland ended their hopes of a grand slam tour, a young, exciting team has come together well under the guidance of former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, who takes on his former assistant.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments