Leinster Players Dominate Ireland Squad
Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast are among the 11 Leinster players selected for the Ireland team.
Prendergast Recalled to Start Against Australia
Sam Prendergast's impressive finish to the season with Leinster has secured him a starting position in Ireland's lineup for Saturday's Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.
The 23-year-old had lost the fly-half role to Jack Crowley during the Six Nations, but with the Munster playmaker sidelined due to injury, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has rewarded Prendergast for his leadership in guiding Leinster to the United Rugby Championship (URC) title.
Osborne Selected on Left Wing Amid Squad Changes
With Tommy O'Brien unavailable and James Lowe departing Irish rugby, Farrell has chosen Jamie Osborne to play on the left wing for the match at Allianz Stadium (kick-off 11:10 BST).
Front Row Adjustments Due to Injuries
Tom O'Toole will start at loose-head prop, a position presenting challenges for Farrell as Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle, and Paddy McCarthy are all absent.
Midfield and Back Row Selections
Stuart McCloskey, who was outstanding during Ireland's Triple Crown-winning Six Nations campaign, has recovered from a hamstring injury and will start in midfield alongside Garry Ringrose.
Tadhg Beirne is fit enough to be included on the bench, while Cian Prendergast is given another opportunity to impress in the back row.
Ireland Starting XV
Hugo Keenan; Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements
Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.
