Ireland forced into late change moments before Wallabies kick-off

Ireland have been forced into a late change for their Nations Championship opener against Australia after Rob Baloucoune was ruled out through injury just hours before kick-off in Sydney.

The Irish Rugby Football Union have not disclosed the injury, but confirmed the setback in a brief statement on social media, saying: “Unfortunately Rob Baloucoune has been ruled out of tonight’s Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney through injury, with Jimmy O’Brien called into Ireland’s starting team on the right wing.”

Baloucoune has played just one match since the Guinness Six Nations, returning from elbow surgery in time to feature for Ulster in the Challenge Cup final.

This is the latest injury in the back three, with Tommy O’Brien and Mack Hansen already ruled out of fixtures against Australia, Japan and the All Blacks. Andy Farrell is also contending with injuries to captain Caelan Doris, Jack Crowley and Andrew Porter.

Ireland will still field a strong side featuring Dan Sheehan as captain, with Sam Prendergast starting at fly-half outside Jamison Gibson-Park. Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, while Bundee Aki is among a powerful replacements bench.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Australia

31 - 33

Full-time

Ireland

All Stats and Data

Updated Ireland XV: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.

Australia XV: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (captain).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Tom Wright.