The Wallabies are set for a blockbuster finish to the Grand Slam campaign as they face Ireland in Dublin.
It’s the first time Joe Schmidt will face his old side since joining the Wallabies and the first time since taking on another head coaching role.
Watch every game of the Wallabies Spring Tour live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
Australia’s hopes of a Grand Slam were dashed by Scotland after a 14-point defeat in Edinburgh.
For Ireland, it’s a special occasion as they celebrate 150 years of the Irish Rugby Union.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Wallabies’ opponent on Sunday (AEDT).
Recent form
Ireland is one of the form sides in the world after a strong 2024 campaign.
They claimed the 2024 Six Nations title despite a surprise defeat to England after taking down France in Marseille.
This was followed by a split series with South Africa that saw them return to number one in the world, only to lose that mark thanks to a loss to New Zealand.
Most recently, the Irish thumped Fiji to head into this clash with plenty of motivation.
Squad
Head coach Andy Farrell has unveiled a 35-player squad for the highly anticipated Autumn Nations Series.
Number eight Caelan Doris maintained the captaincy whilst there were two uncapped players Cormac Izuchukwu and Sam Prendergast, both who debuted last week against Fiji.
Jamie Osborne, Jacob Stockdale, Tadhg Furlong and Ryan Baird have already been ruled out of Ireland’s autumn finale against Australia.
Forwards
Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Dave Heffernan, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier
Backs
Bundee Aki, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale
The X-Factor
Caelan Doris leads from the front for the Irish and is quickly cementing himself as one of the best backrowers to pull on the gold jersey.
Doris was the only non-South African nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year after a brilliant Six Nations for Ireland.
The backrower has been exceptional since his debut in 2020 and his battle with Harry Wilson and Rob Valetini will be one to watch.
The young gun
Sam Prendergast has been thrust into the #10 as the future of Irish Rugby.
The 21-year-old’s dramatic rise continues after a brilliant stint with Emerging Ireland, debuting last week against Fiji.
Reports out of Ireland suggest the Leinster wunderkind will retain the starting jersey for Sunday’s clash, which will be a major test of his quality
The coach
Andy Farrell has delivered Ireland to continual success since taking on the role in 2019.
There’s not too many Englishmen liked more in Ireland than Farrell after claiming a Grand Slam in 2023.
He has been appointed British and Irish Lions coach in 2025, putting him on course with the man he replaced.
Joe Schmidt and his history with Ireland
Joe Schmidt’s return to Ireland has been anticipated ever since he took the Australian job.
Schmidt took Ireland to the top under his leadership, taking the role in 2013.
He led them to multiple Six Nations titles and their maiden victories over the All Blacks.
In his penultimate season as coach in 2018, he won the Grand Slam, beat New Zealand in Ireland for the first time ever and took out World Rugby Coach of the Year.
Schmidt has come up against the Irish as an assistant with the Kiwis, but this is his first battle back as head coach.
Ireland and Wallabies: A long-lasting connection
Outside of Schmidt, there is a plethora of cross-over between the two nations.
Winger Mack Hansen and prop Finlay Bealham were born in Canberra before making their name in Ireland.
Hansen was picked up as an emerging star for the Brumbies whilst Bealham’s move was almost straight out of school.
On the flip side, coach Laurie Fisher spent several years turning Munster into a powerhouse, joined in the coaching staff by former Irish performance analyst Eoin Toolan
Why isn’t Will Skelton playing
The Wallabies will be forced into at least one change already with Will Skelton unavailable for selection.
It comes due to a unique World Rugby rule around the availability of players for International Test windows.
With the window closing last week, Skelton returns to La Rochelle as well as suspended centre Samu Kerevi to Japan.
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