Familiar foes Australia and Ireland meet again on the opening weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship in Sydney.
This Test and the games against France and Italy to follow serve as a Wallabies farewell for Joe Schmidt, with the former Ireland coach set to hand over to Les Kiss later in the year.
He will hope to get one over a former colleague in Andy Farrell, who assisted Schmidt with Ireland before stepping up to the top job, and also bested his old boss in last year’s British and Irish Lions series.
But with Ireland heavily hit by injury, Australia may just fancy their chances of a significant win as they gear up for a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Australia vs Ireland?
Australia vs Ireland is due to kick off at 11.10am BST on Saturday 4 July at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 10.30am BST. A live stream will be available on ITVX, with every game of the Nations Championship shown on the station across July and November.
Team news
Australia hand a first international appearance in nearly four years to full-back Jock Campbell, stationed in a back three that also includes Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch. Josh Canham partners Jeremy Williams in the second row with Lachlan Shaw primed for a debut off the bench.
Also among the replacements is James Slipper, out of retirement and set to earn his 152nd cap after loosehead injury issues.
Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Josh Nasser, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Josh Canham, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Ryan Lonergan, 10 Carter Gordon; 11 Dylan Pietsch, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen; 15 Jock Campbell.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tom Wright.
Sam Prendergast is backed at No 10 by Andy Farrell in the absence of the injured Jack Crowley. Dan Sheehan skippers the Irish side with Caelan Doris another significant figure unavailable, while Jamie Osborne showcases his versatility as he starts on the wing.
Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne and Bundee Aki ensure there is plenty of experience on the bench with Nick Timoney looking to build on a strong Six Nations.
Ireland XV: 1 Tom O’Toole, 2 Dan Sheehan (capt.), 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Sam Prendergast; 11 Jamie Osborne, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Rob Baloucoune; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Nick Timoney; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki.
