'He’s proved, not just to us, but to everyone else that he’s up for this'

Ireland boss Andy Farrell says Mack Hansen has “trained the house down” to prove he is ready and able to deputise at full-back in Saturday’s sold-out showdown with his native Australia.

Canberra-born Hansen, who has 28 caps, will wear the number 15 jersey at Test level for the first time, having only returned to camp on Sunday evening following the aggravation of a foot issue.

The versatile Connacht wing initially sustained the injury during this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour, denying him a chance to take on the Wallabies in his homeland.

Hansen has full-back experience at provincial level and comes in for the injured Jamie Osborne as part of nine personnel changes following last weekend’s 41-10 win over Japan.

Head coach Farrell, who took charge of the victorious Lions tour, said: “He was in great form, certainly within the Lions series; I mean, wow, I hadn’t seen him in better form actually, and then obviously the foot injury stopped that progress.

“But I think he’s got the bit between his teeth as far as what he learnt on that tour. He played his last game at 15 as well (for Connacht).

“Coming back into the group, he got across his work Sunday and Monday and then trained the house down on Tuesday.

“He’s proved, not just to us, the coaching staff, but to everyone else that he’s up for this and ready and able.”

Fly-half Sam Prendergast will make his first start of the autumn after being preferred to Jack Crowley, while prop Paddy McCarthy is set for his full international debut.

The 22-year-old McCarthy, who has replaced Andrew Porter at loosehead, won his maiden Test cap as a replacement in the 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago before backing it up with a try-scoring cameo against the Brave Blossoms.

“His temperament has been excellent,” Farrell said of McCarthy, who is the younger brother of injured lock Joe McCarthy.

“Chicago would have been massive for him as far as a debut is concerned. And then backing that up is always hard.

“But how he handled the week last week was excellent. He came on and he didn’t just fit in, he added to the group.

“He deserves his start and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong and hooker Dan Sheehan come into the front row alongside full debutant McCarthy.

Stuart McCloskey returns at inside centre after overcoming the groin problem he sustained against New Zealand, while number eight Jack Conan, scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and left wing James Lowe are also restored.

Asked about the decision to start Prendergast ahead of rival number 10 Crowley, Farrell said: “Jack’s done some good stuff and had three weeks in the driving seat as far as preparation is concerned.

“Giving Sam an opportunity within a big game is pretty important to him, and to Jack as well.

“He came on, played pretty well, so giving him the opportunity to hold the reins on Saturday night is the one that we have gone with.”