Prendergast handed Ireland out-half reins for Wallabies clash

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, has also been named at inside centre to join Garry Ringrose in the midfield. It will 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.

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.