Andy Farrell backs Prendergast brothers in team to play Wallabies

Andy Farrell has named his side for Ireland’s inaugural Nations Championship Test, with both Prendergast brothers named to start in Sydney.

Cian Prendergast, named on the blindside flank after just one start in the Six Nations, joins Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan in the loose trio, with Nick Timoney providing cover. The second row pairing of Joe McCarthy and James Ryan has been backed to start, with Tadhg Beirne beginning his July campaign on the bench. Tom O’Toole and Tadhg Furlong join captain Dan Sheehan in the starting front row, with the trio of Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson providing impact.

In the backline, it’s Jamison Gibson-Park joining Sam Prendergast in the halves, feeding the midfield combination of Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose, with Jamie Osborne and Rob Baloucoune providing the finishing flair out wide. Hugo Keenan returns to the country of his British & Irish Lions heroics last year and starts at fullback, with bench cover from Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki.

A Wallabies team 15 months out from hosting a Rugby World Cup awaits the travelling side, eager to get their 2026 campaign off to a strong start after a winless northern tour to end 2025.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

19

27

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Ireland team to play Australia

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(46)
14. Rob Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster)(8)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(74)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(28)
11. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(15)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(15)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(51)

1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(21)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(39)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(86)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(24)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(80)
6. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(11)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(79)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(59)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(48)
17. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster)(8)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(13)
19. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(70)
20. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(11)
21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(28
22. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(12)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(69)