Prendergast handed Ireland out-half reins for Wallabies clash 

BACK IN THE SADDLE: Sam Prendergast during an Ireland rugby squad training session. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Sam Prendergast has won the race to wear the No.10 jersey for Saturday’s Nations Championship fixture against the Wallabies in Sydney.

With Munster’s Jack Crowley sidelined, Andy Farrell has brought back Prendergast after steering Leinster to the United Rugby Championship final. Ciarán Frawley remains on the bench.

The 23-year-old is one of five changes to Farrell’s starting side from the one that finished the Six Nations on a high.

Farrell has also resisted the temptation of handing a debut cap to one of his four uncapped players.

Elsewhere, Farrell appears to have shown his tactical hand by moving fullback Jamie Osborne to the wing to accommodate the return of Lions starter Hugo Keenan in the No.15 jersey.

Stuart McCloskey, who was arguably Ireland’s best in the Six Nations, also has been named at inside centre to join Garry Ringrose in the midfield. It’ll be the centre’s first game in two months.

Up front, Farrell has selected a predictable and strong tight-five, with James Ryan joining Joe McCarthy in the second-row.

Jack Conan shifts from blindside flanker to No.8 in the absence of regular captain Caelan Doris. Cian Prendergast joins Josh van der Flier to complete the loose-trio. Tadhg Berne will come off the bench.

It’s the same front-row as the one that finished the Six Nations, with Dan Sheehan to start at hooker.

Ireland are on a five-match winning streak over the Wallabies dating back to mid-2018 and are coming off a 46-19 win at the Aviva Stadium last November.

For the Wallabies, Jock Campbell will start at fullback in his first Test since late ⁠2022.

Campbell ⁠played the last ⁠of his ​four Tests in Australia’s first-ever loss to Italy in Florence in 2022, but had an ⁠impressive season in Super Rugby.

James Slipper, Australia’s most-capped Test player, was named as replacement loosehead prop, ⁠confirming his return from retirement.

Centre Len Ikitau, flanker Tom Hooper ​as well as props Angus ‌Bell and Taniela ‌Tupou all return to Australian colours after playing club rugby in ‌Europe.

Flyhalf Carter Gordon and scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will start in the halves with Ben Donaldson and Tate McDermott backing up from the bench.

Lock Lachlan Shaw was named among the replacements and could make his Test debut.

Loose forward Harry ‌Wilson retains the captaincy for Saturday’s match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Australia also host France and Italy in ​July’s southern hemisphere section of the new competition.

“The group has reconnected quickly and we’ve worked hard over the past week to prepare as best we can for what is an exciting challenge against ⁠the number three team in world rugby,” said head coach ​Joe Schmidt.

Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa; Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw*, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.

Referee: Ben O'Keefe (NZRU)

Additional reporting: Reuters