Monday, December 2, 2024

Ireland v Australia LIVE: Irish end Autumn Nations Series against Wallabies

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Ireland face Australia in the final match of the Autumn Nations Series (Getty Images)

Ireland and Australia are closing out the Autumn Nations Series with a clash at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Andy Farrell’s Irish side have recovered well from defeat by New Zealand, with victories over Argentina and Fiji, and a final win over the Wallabies would cap another good year for the world’s No 2 ranked team. Farrell continues to back young fly-half Sam Prendergast who starts at 10 today, while Cian Healy is on the bench and primed to become the most capped Irishman in history when he makes his 134th appearance.

Australia have endured a rollercoaster autumn, finishing rock bottom of the Rugby Championship standings in September before heading to the northern hemisphere, where they chalked up a stunning win over England at Twickenham and a thrashing of Wales in Cardiff, before last week’s disappointing defeat by Scotland. Joe Schmidt will hope his young, emerging side can cap off the tour with a memorable win in Dublin.

Follow the score and latest updates from Ireland v Australia below.

Ireland 15-13 Australia

54 min: Andy Farrell rings the changes up front: Tom O’Toole, Peter O’Mahony and Iain Henderson replace Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:35

Ireland 15-13 Australia

52 min: An isolated James Ryan is penalised for failing to release, and Australia kick to the corner.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:33

Try! Ireland 15-13 Australia (Doris, 50 min)

After waves of pressure, finally Ireland make the breakthrough as captain Caelan Doris steams under the posts with Wallabies hanging off him. Prendergast slots the simplest of kicks, and for the first time all day, Ireland lead.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:30

Ireland 8-13 Australia

46 min: Ireland sustain pressure in the Australian half, but the Wallabies’ defence is excellent and they are not allowing their 22-metre line to be breached…

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:26

Penalty! Ireland 8-13 Australia (Prendergast, 42 min)

James Slipper is penalised at the breakdown for blocking Ireland’s release, and Sam Prendergast slots the kick from 40 yards.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:22

Ireland 5-13 Australia

Back underway at the Aviva Stadium.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:19

Half-time: Ireland 5-13 Australia

Ireland made 16 handling errors in the first 40 minutes and that was really the story of the half. If they can cut those mistakes out in the second half, they will have a great shot and turning this match on its head.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:18

Half-time: Ireland 5-13 Australia

Another handling error stalls the Irish attack, and that brings the half-time whistle. Ireland have been a bit sloppy and Australia deservedly lead at the break.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:04

Ireland 5-13 Australia

39 min: McReight spills the ball and Australia’s momentum is killed. Ireland, now, might get one last chance to peg the Wallabies back before half-time. They have a lineout deep in the Australian half.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:02

Ireland 5-13 Australia

37 min: Penalty awarded to Australia near the halfway line after a late tackle by Finlay Bealham. The Wallabies will end the half on the front foot, with a lineout near Ireland’s 22.

Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 16:00

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