Donal Lenihan: Eyes turn south looking for Irish lads to put a 2027 hand up

It will be interesting to see how Ireland and Australia look to exploit a new maul guideline which came into effect last month

Jamie Osborne has been named on the wing in the Ireland team to play Australia but his long-term future could be in the centre. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Current state of play

Deep into yet another never-ending season Andy Farrell is, once again, tasked with lifting a hard-worked core of Irish players, many of whom were in Australia this time last year with the British and Irish Lions.