Speaking factors as Eire bid to log out in model towards Australia

Right here, we pick among the important speaking factors forward of Saturday’s match.

Signing off a stellar 12 months in model

Eire’s spectacular progress this 12 months was underlined on Monday by a raft of nominations for the World Rugby awards. Farrell is up for coach of the 12 months, captain Johnny Sexton and flanker Josh van der Flier are in competition for participant of the 12 months, whereas Mack Hansen and Dan Sheehan have been shortlisted for the breakthrough star accolade. Eire began 2022 with a Six Nations Triple Crown, rose to the highest of the worldwide rankings after registering a historic sequence success in New Zealand earlier than toppling the world champions. They’ve gained eight of 10 Exams this 12 months and will likely be wanting to log out in model.

Australia will run out on the Aviva Stadium searching for to revive some satisfaction following a humiliating and historic defeat to Italy. The Wallabies have misplaced 11 of their final 15 Exams, with the nadir undoubtedly coming final weekend when a much-changed line-up suffered a shock embarrassment at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Head coach Dave Rennie insisted he had no regrets over his choice however has recalled his massive hitters for the Wallabies’ first Dublin go to since a 27–24 loss in 2016. The 2-time world champions relish underdog standing and will likely be determined to make amends by taking the scalp of rugby’s top-ranked facet.

Eire’s efficiency in seeing off ill-disciplined Fiji left loads to be desired. They have been error-strewn, disjointed and, within the phrases of Farrell, fairly underwhelming. Though that efficiency slipped effectively beneath current requirements, it got here within the absence of a number of influential performers. Sexton, who on Wednesday advised he’s considering prolonging his profession past subsequent 12 months’s World Cup, Van der Flier, vice-captain James Ryan, prop Andrew Porter and full-back Hugo Keenan are every again from damage. Their availability, along with recollects for Sheehan, Peter O’Mahony and Garry Ringrose, is a significant enhance however leaves no room for excuses.

Hansen has loved a whirlwind 12 months which started with an Eire debut within the Six Nations opener towards Wales and can climax with a gathering along with his native nation. Canberra-born Hansen described his choice to modify worldwide allegiance as the most effective of his life. The 24-year-old wing, whose mom hails from County Cork, remains to be studying the phrases to the Irish anthem however has no considerations about receiving on-field stick from his countrymen on what will likely be an unforgettable day from a private perspective. “They will’t sledge for s***,” he mentioned. “Whitey (Nic White) will likely be chirpy like all the time, however the remainder of them aren’t very witty or good!”.

One other position for versatile O’Brien

Leinster again Jimmy O’Brien entered November hoping for a Check debut. He’s set to complete the month having performed in every of his nation’s three matches, in three completely different positions. The 25-year-old was thrust into the Springboks conflict as a makeshift alternative in midfield because of an damage earlier than beginning at full-back towards the Fijians. This week, he has been shifted to the left wing. Farrell has not been shocked by O’Brien’s influence and is an enormous fan as he searches for higher squad depth going into subsequent 12 months’s Six Nations and the World Cup. “He has all of the hallmarks of an excellent, composed worldwide participant,” the coach mentioned of O’Brien.