Trio expected to start against Aussies

Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien and Jonathan Sexton are all expected to start the November international against Australia on Saturday.

All three have recovered from their respective strains that kept that out of the starting 15 against Samoa.

There are still injury concerns over Tommy Bowe ahead of the game, after he picked up a calf injury in last Saturday's win over Samoa.

Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Jennings have been called up to the squad as cover, after both Keith Earls and Chris Henry were ruled-out of Saturday's game with injuries.

Meanwhile, Sexton was named as the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year last night.

He helped Leinster to win the Pro12 and Amlin Challenge Cup double last season.