Ireland vs Australia date, start time & TV info
Date Saturday, November 15
Starts 8.10pm
Venue Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Competition Autumn international
TV TNT Sports 1
Two sides struggling for rhythm meet at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night, with Ireland having not played enough rugby and their opponents Australia too much.
The Irish have won their last four meetings with the Wallabies, all by five points or fewer, and another scrap looks on the cards in Dublin.
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Ireland vs Australia betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Ireland to win by one to 12 points
2pts 6-4 bet365
Ireland vs Australia preview
It was unlucky number 13 for Australia last Saturday as they lost 26-19 to Italy.
The Wallabies’ 14th, and penultimate Test of a mammoth year, takes them to Dublin, where they face out-of-sorts Ireland.
Australia had beaten Japan by four points before losing 25-7 to England, and the defeat to the Azzurri appeared to be the latest example of fatigue creeping in.
Joe Schmidt has called for reinforcements to help refresh his battered and bruised group, who are starting to look overdone.
By contrast, Ireland seem undercooked, with several of their big names feeling their way back to fitness after having their playing time managed following summer exploits for the British & Irish Lions.
Ireland’s strong start against New Zealand fizzled out into a 26-13 defeat before faltering in a 41-10 win over Japan.
A lack of direction is costing them, with fly-half Jack Crowley playing in those Tests like someone who doesn’t feel he has the management’s trust, and it is no surprise to see his rival Sam Prendergast take the ten shirt on Saturday.
Prendergast started last year’s 22-19 win over the Wallabies before Crowley came on for the final 15 minutes, converting Gus McCarthy’s 72nd-minute match-winning try.
That three-point victory was Ireland’s fourth in a row over Australia, all of which have been decided by five or fewer points.
A similar contest is forecast as one side looking to go through the gears against another who look as if their tank is emptying.
James O’Connor will call the shots from fly-half for AustraliaCredit: Corbis via Getty Images
Australia gradually improved during their series with the Lions and then beat South Africa in Johannesburg.
That appeared to be the peak of their season and their shallow player pool has been exposed in recent games.
However, they have been boosted by the return of Rob Valetini, Allan Alaalatoa, James O’Connor and Len Ikitau for the game in Dublin.
Schmidt hopes that quartet can inspire his side in what will be his final game against his former employers before stepping down after next Saturday’s fixture against France.
His successor as Ireland boss, Andy Farrell, has opted for physicality, with a back row of Ryan Baird, captain Caelan Doris and Jack Conan.
That trio and Prendergast are among 12 starters from Leinster and Farrell is banking on familiarity to get his side back on track.
Ireland’s clashed with Australia have a recent history of producing scruffy encounters.
Saturday could be the same, but the Irish should have enough to get past the ailing Aussies.
Key stats for Ireland vs Australia
♦ Ireland have won the last four head-to-heads
♦ The last four meetings have been decided by five or fewer points
♦ Australia have lost five of their last six Tests
♦ Ireland wing Tommy O’Brien has scored tries in three of his last four internationals
Ireland vs Australia team news and line-ups
Ireland
Canberra-born Mack Hansen makes his first Test start at full-back against the country of his birth, while Sam Prendergast is favoured over Jack Crowley at fly-half. Stuart McCloskey returns at inside centre and prop Paddy McCarthy also makes his first Test debut.
Starting line-up: 15 M Hansen; 14 T O’Brien, 13 R Henshaw, 12 S McCloskey, 11 J Lowe; 10 S Prendergast, 9 J Gibson-Park; 1 P McCarthy, 2 D Sheehan, 3 T Furlong, 4 J Ryan, 5 T Beirne 6 R Baird 7 C Doris (capt), 8 J Conan
Replacements: 16 R Kelleher, 17 A Porter, 18 T Clarkson, 19 N Timoney, 20 C Prendergast, 21 C Casey, 22 J Crowley, 23 B Aki.
Australia
James O’Connor and Len Ikitau are recalled at fly-half and inside centre. Allan Alaalatoa returns at tighthead prop and Tom Hooper moves into the second row to accommodate Rob Valetini’s return at blindside flanker.
Starting line-up: 15 M Jorgensen; 14 F Daugunu, 13 JA Suaalii, 12 L Ikitau, 11 H Potter; 10 J O’Connor, 9 J Gordon; 1 A Bell, 2 M Faessler, 3 A Alaalatoa, 4J Williams, 5 T Hooper, 6 R Valetini, 7 F McReight, 8 H Wilson (capt).
Replacements: 16 B Pollard, 17 T Robertson, 18 Z Nonggorr, 19 N Frost, 20 CTizzano, 21 R Lonergan, 22 T Edmed, 23 A Kellaway.
Ireland vs Australia betting odds
Sign up with bet365 to bet on Ireland vs Australia. Here are the latest odds for Saturday’s Cardiff showdown.
MarketOddsIreland1-4Australia3-1Draw25-1
Odds correct at time of publishing
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Read more on the autumn internationals:
England vs New Zealand | Wales vs Japan
FAQs for Ireland vs Australia
When is the autumn international between Ireland vs Japan?
The match kicks off at 8.10pm on Saturday, November 15
Where is Ireland vs Australia being played?
The match takes place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin
What is the match betting for Ireland vs Australia?
Ireland are 1-4 favourites, with Australia 3-1 and a draw 25-1.
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