THREE gruelling battles in consecutive weeks took their toll as Ireland capitulated to a stronger Australian side at Subiaco Oval, Perth, on Saturday.

IN THE END, a season that delivered so much couldn’t provide the fitting finale. Saturday’s test against Australia proved a game too far for this group of players.

Australia 37 Ireland 15

Guy Shepherdson has been handed a Test debut by Australia coach John Connolly for the clash against Ireland on Saturday in Perth.

COACH John Connolly has warned his players that wounded Ireland are in Perth looking for a Wallaby scalp on Saturday to finish the season in style.

Australia have named a 33-man squad for the Test against England at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney on June 11.

PROP Matt Dunning might be the only change to the Australia side for the clash against Wales at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow - but it is a significant one.

Ireland 14 Australia 30

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is giving most of the side hammered 45-7 by New Zealand a second chance as he keeps changes for today’s clash with Australia to a minimum.

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan today admitted he has been left confused by the failure to punish All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu for his spear tackle on Gordon D’Arcy.

AUSTRALIAN coach Eddie Jones is determined to brazen out the criticism and follow his own instincts as he bids to halt a depressing run of international defeats at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Australia head coach Eddie Jones has axed tight-head prop Al Baxter for Saturday’s clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road and gambled on an inexperienced front row.

FIVE newcomers are included in the 31-man Australian squad for next month’s four-nation European tour, during which the Wallabies will face Ireland.

Ireland’s Johnny O’Connor has been named in the Barbarians squad for this month’s two-match tour of Britain.