Prendergast brothers start for Ireland's opener in Sydney
Andy Farrell makes five changes as the Prendergast brothers start together and Hugo Keenan returns after a 16-month absence.
- On Saturday, Ireland faces Australia at Allianz Stadium in Sydney for their Nations Championship opener, with captain Dan Sheehan leading the side at 11.10am Irish time.
- Coach Andy Farrell made four changes from the Six Nations finale, sidelining Caelan Doris and Jack Crowley through injury while recalling Hugo Keenan after 16 months away.
- Ulster's Stuart McCloskey starts at centre despite not playing in 10 weeks, while Kildare's Jamie Osborne shifts to the wing and brothers Cian and Sam Prendergast both start.
- Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt recalled fullback Jock Campbell for his first test in over 1300 days, while Harry Wilson captains the side from number eight.
- The Nations Championship opener serves as a critical test for both squads, with the tour offering useful perspective on Irish rugby's trajectory following recent campaigns.
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15 Articles
Irish coach Andy Farrell took the lead in opening Sam Prendergast, who was defeated during the Tournament due to his performances, for the first game of the Championship of Nations on Saturday against Australia, according to the composition published on Thursday.
‘All in our hands’: Wallabies vow to take it to Ireland
Skipper Harry Wilson has placed the onus squarely on his forwards to provide the platform for the Wallabies’ silky backs to produce the magic in a pivotal Nations Championship opener against Ireland. After five losses from their last six Tests in 2025, culminating in a deflating and historic winless spring tour of Europe, the Wallabies are desperate to open the year with a bang on Saturday night. Sydney’s Allianz Stadium is sold out, with the th…
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