Five talking points as Ireland and Australia prepare for battle

Australia’s back-row strength sets up an epic battle, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Battle of the back rows

Australia seem to be in a far better position now than they were during the Rugby Championship, even if they scraped wins against Scotland and France while easily accounting for Wales. The infusion of some new blood by Michael Cheika has played a major part. But one constant with the Wallabies this last few tumultuous years has been the excellence of a back row that will again include the imperious duo David Pocock and Michael Hooper, after the latter was rested in Paris last week.