Ireland vs Australia Prediction: Weary Wallabies no match for Irish

It’s been a brutal few months for Australia with a hectic international schedule but a well-earned rest is in sight after Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series clash with Ireland in Dublin (15:10, TNT Sports 1).

Alex Jack provides his Ireland vs Australia prediction, alongside team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

After impressive wins over England and Wales, Joe Schmidt’s side put in a tired display against Scotland last weekend and went down 27-13 at Murrayfield.

Ireland have hardly hit top gear this month, putting in a disappointing performance in a 23-13 defeat to New Zealand before an equally unconvincing display in a 22-19 victory against Argentina.

Not much would have been learnt from a regulation win over Fiji but now Ireland have the opportunity to earn a statement win over the Wallabies, which is Andy Farrell’s final game in charge before he switches focus to the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia next year.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Leinster’s Sam Prendergast has retained his place at fly-half after impressing in his first Test start against Fiji last week.

Farrell has made five changes from the game against the Pacific Islanders, with Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park all coming into the backline.

In the forwards, Ronan Kelleher and James Ryan start, meaning last week’s debutants Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu drop down to the bench.

As for Australia, props James Slipper and Taniela Tupou return to the starting lineup as two of five changes from the side that were beaten in Scotland.

Jeremy Williams has recovered from illness to start in the second-row alongside Nick Frost, while Fraser McReight comes into the back-row with skipper Harry Wilson and flanker Rob Valentini.

Australia centre Joseph Suaalii retains his place in the backs despite being forced off at Murrayfield with a wrist injury.

Ireland vs Australia Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Ireland vs Australia page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Ireland are 1/8 favourites to win Saturday’s showdown in Dublin, while Australia are 11/2 to claim a shock victory.

A draw on the day is available at 25/1, while between 51 and 60 points in the game is currently 11/4.

Ireland -16 handicap @ 21/20

Scotland will have been happy with the win over Australia last weekend but in reality the Scots did not need to be at their best to beat the Wallabies.

The tourists looked laboured in Edinburgh and it’s understandable after the rigours of the Rugby Championship campaign soon followed by a European tour.

A strong start from the Irish could soon see Australian heads drop, with thoughts of a flight home to an Aussie summer potentially creeping in.

Scotland won by 14 points last weekend without hitting top gear and reigning Six Nations champions Ireland should have no trouble overcoming the -16 handicap which is on offer here.

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