Ireland v Australia Preview

After Ireland’s win against Georgia and Australia’s defeat to France, Ireland climbed above the Wallabies as the third best side in the world. Joe Schmidt has emphasised that the rankings are just a distraction, but it does show the improvements Ireland have made since he took over from Declan Kidney last year. Cheika will be disappointed with his side’s performance against France and after winning their opening November international against Wales. they will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Aviva on Saturday.

After defeating one Southern Hemisphere side Ireland will look to cause another major upset by beating the Wallabies on Saturday. However Ireland’s record against Australia does not fare well only winning two of the last eight meetings between the sides. Ireland’s last win came in 2011 and what a win it was as they defeated the Wallabies at the World Cup in New Zealand in what was there first win over a Southern Hemisphere side at a World Cup. The most recent meeting between these two sides took place last November in what was Joe Schmidt’s first game in charge of Ireland, with the Wallabies coming away from the Aviva with a 32-15 win.

In team news Ireland make a host of changes from the side that defeated Georgia last Sunday with Joe Schmidt sticking with virtually the same side that lined out against the Springboks two weeks ago with two changes from the side. In the forwards  Rory Best starts at Hooker after returning from injury with Sean Cronin dropping to the bench. While in the backs Jared Payne has failed to recover from a foot injury he suffered against South Africa with Gordon D’arcy taking his place at 12 with Robbie Henshaw moving into 13.

As for Australia they make three changes from the side that were defeated by France. In the forwards Sam Carter comes into the second row for James Horwill while at Blindside flanker Luke Jones comes into the side making only his second appearance in a Wallabies jersey with Sean McMahon dropping out of the squad. The match on Saturday will also see the return of Kurtley Beale to the matchday squad after he was fined for sending an offensive text message to the then Australia business manager Di Patston.

Saturday’s game see’s two former Leinster coaches go head to head where they both guided Leinster to European Cup success. Michael Cheika will know all about a lot of Ireland’s players having coached a number of them at Leinster and will be hoping to spoil the party at the Aviva as Ireland look to make it a clean sweep of wins in a November series for the first time since 2006.