Australia will want to rectify their form of 2025 but Ireland have had the wood on them in recent years. I am backing a narrow Irish win.
Key Stats - Ireland Improving
- Australia have lost 8 of their last 10 matches.
- Ireland have won their last 5 matches against Australia.
- Ireland have won their last 4 matches.
Ireland Dominant
Ireland have a 5-0 record in their last five matches against Australia.
Australia were Woeful in 2025
Australian rugby is struggling at the moment and 2025 was not very good to them. Results have to improve ahead of their home World Cup next year.
The Wallabies caused a major shock, beating the Springboks away from home to start the Rugby Championship last season, however, they lost to South Africa a week later, before beating Argentina at home and losing again to the same opponents a week later.
What followed was disastrous – two defeats to New Zealand before a narrow win against Japan. Australia then lost their next four games to England, Italy, Ireland and France, leaving them with three wins in 11 matches.
Ireland Six Nations Improvement
Ireland are certainly in a rebuilding phase as they look to reach the heights they did between 2019 and 2023. The positive is that Ireland certainly started improving as the Six Nations went on this year, finishing second.
During the Autumn Nations home games in November 2025, Ireland lost to New Zealand and South Africa but did beat Australia and Japan.
The 2026 Six Nations began with a heavy 36-14 loss to France before Ireland scraped a home 20-13 victory against Italy. In their best performance of the season, the Irish thrashed England 42-21 at Twickenham before a disappointing 27-17 victory over Wales.
In the final round of the Six Nations, Ireland defeated Scotland 43-21 to give themselves a shot at the title.
Sarting Lineups, Injuries & Team News
Australia: Jock Campbell makes his long-awaited return to international rugby at fullback with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii a key player in midfield. Captain, Harry Wilson had a stellar season at the back of the scrum and will want to pick up where he left off.
Ireland: Sam Predergast gets another chance at flyhalf, so much attention will be focused on him. However, key to his performance will be how the likes of Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan perform in the pack.
Australia: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Josh Canham, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachie Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tom Wright.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jamie Osborne, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Tom O’Toole.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki