The 21-year-old, who made his first Test start in last weekend’s 52-17 victory over Fiji, has been preferred to Jack Crowley for Saturday’s clash in Dublin. Crowley, who had been Ireland’s primary number 10 following Johnny Sexton’s retirement, returns to the matchday squad after a brief rest but will start on the bench.
Head coach Andy Farrell has made five changes to his starting XV for this final fixture before he takes a break to lead next summer’s British and Irish Lions tour against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.
Leinster scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park returns to partner his club teammate Prendergast, while James Lowe and Hugo Keenan step into the backline for the injured Jacob Stockdale and Jamie Osborne. In the pack, Ronan Kelleher and James Ryan are reinstated, replacing last week’s debutants Gus McCarthy, who moves to the bench, and Cormac Izuchukwu. Tadhg Beirne shifts to blindside flanker to accommodate Ryan in the second row.
Saturday’s game, part of the celebrations marking 150 years of Irish rugby, also sees the return of former Ireland coach Schmidt to the Aviva Stadium. Ireland will aim to secure a third consecutive win this month, following victories over Argentina and Fiji, which came after their earlier loss to New Zealand.
Cian Healy is set to make history as Ireland’s most-capped international, surpassing Brian O’Driscoll’s record, if he comes off the bench for his 134th appearance. The 37-year-old prop debuted against Australia in 2009.
Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw reunite in midfield, with Garry Ringrose among the replacements, while Mack Hansen continues on the wing after scoring twice last week. Props Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham, lock Joe McCarthy, openside flanker Josh van der Flier, and captain Caelan Doris complete the starting line-up.
Reflecting on the milestone occasion, Farrell said: “Saturday’s Test match is a significant chapter in Irish rugby history. Beyond the 150th-anniversary celebrations, it’s a momentous occasion for Cian, who has the chance to break the Test cap record—a testament to his resilience and contribution to the game.
“Cian is a true legend of Irish rugby, and we are committed to delivering a performance befitting his achievement. The squad has shown steady progress, and the visit of a strong Australian side is another opportunity to push forward and finish the Autumn Nations Series on a high.”
Ireland Team:
Starting XV
Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).
Replacements
Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster).
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