Polota-Nau could face Ireland

Thu, 14 Nov, 2013 - 13:45

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is fit to return and take a seat on the bench for Australia in their autumn international clash against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

The Wallabies have made three changes to their starting pack from the side that eased past Italy 50-20 last weekend.

Scott Fardy returns at blindside flanker, prop Sekope Kepu makes his second start of 2013 at tighthead prop and Rob Simmons slots into the second row.

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has taken the decision to rest tighthead prop Ben Alexander.

Fit-again hooker Polota-Nau missed half the Super Rugby season and the British Lions Test series with a broken arm.

But now the 44-cap front-rower will be keen to put all that injury frustration behind him at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.

AUSTRALIA V Ireland: I Folau (NSW Waratahs); A Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), T Kuridrani, M Toomua (both ACT Brumbies), N Cummins (Western Force); Q Cooper, W Genia; J Slipper (all Queensland Reds), S Moore (ACT Brumbies), S Kepu (NSW Waratahs); R Simmons, J Horwill (both Queensland Reds); S Fardy (ACT Brumbies), M Hooper (NSW Waratahs), B Mowen (ACT Brumbies, capt).

Replacements: T Polota-Nau, B Robinson, P Ryan, S Timani (all NSW Waratahs), L Gill (Queensland Reds), N White, C Leali’ifano, J Tomane (all ACT Brumbies).