Ireland coach Andy Farrell has backed Sam Prendergast to shine in Sydney after installing the young playmaker at No 10 for the clash with Australia rugby.
Prendergast was dropped from Farrell’s side after two rounds of the Six Nations with Jack Crowley preferred and orchestrating a turnaround in the side’s fortunes.
But with the Munster fly half absent for the start of the inaugural Nations Championship, Prendergast has been recalled to partner Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson-Park in the halves.
The 23-year-old older brother Cian is also given a starting role on the blindside flank, while the versatile Jamie Osborne is deployed on the wing.
“Sam, the way that he’s handled the last month is a credit to him in regards to taking responsibility for the shirt and his chance to build through those last few games and finish it off with a top performance in a big game in the final there,” said Farrell, referring to Leinster’s United Rugby Championship success.
“So he’s earned the right to do that.”
Hooker Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland with Caelan Doris injured, while Mack Hansen, Tommy O’Brien and Andrew Porter are among the other significant absentees.
It is nonetheless a strong and experienced matchday 23 named by Farrell with Tom O’Toole continue to develop at loosehead prop.
Australia, meanwhile, hand a start to full-back Jock Campbell with the Reds player set for his first international appearance in nearly four years.
Ryan Lonergan is picked at scrum half with lock Josh Canham a newer face in the tight five and fellow second row Lachlan Shaw primed for a debut from the replacements.
Prop James Slipper, conversely, is out of international retirement to provide prop cover on the bench.
These fixtures against Ireland, France and Italy serve as Joe Schmidt’s final games as Wallabies boss, with the former Ireland coach set to hand over to Les Kiss later in the year.
Australia XV to face Ireland: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Josh Nasser, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Josh Canham, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Ryan Lonergan, 10 Carter Gordon; 11 Dylan Pietsch, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen; 15 Jock Campbell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tom Wright.
Ireland XV: 1 Tom O’Toole, 2 Dan Sheehan (capt.), 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 Jamie Osborne, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Rob Baloucoune; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Nick Timoney; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki.
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