They say there’s no show like a Joe Show — or will it be Sam’s Town in the Aviva Stadium this afternoon?

(Sincere apologies for kicking things off with a mangled musical metaphor).

Australia are the visitors to the Aviva Stadium this afternoon for Ireland’s final November International — and the IRFU’S 150th anniversary celebrations.

It’s a historic afternoon too for Cian Healy who is set to win his 134th cap off the bench and, in the process, become the most-capped man in Irish rugby history.

Kick-off on Lansdowne Road is at 3.10pm. Stay with us and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a minute.

TEAM NEWS: Here’s a reminder of the Ireland 23 — Sam Prendergast gets the nod over Jack Crowley at out-half, a decision by Andy Farrell that has faced no end of discussion and debate since Thursday’s team announcement.

Ireland

• 15. Hugo Keenan
• 14. Mack Hansen
• 13. Robbie Henshaw
• 12. Bundee Aki
• 11. James Lowe
• 10. Sam Prendergast
• 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

• 1. Andrew Porter
• 2. Rónan Kelleher
• 3. Finlay Bealham
• 4. Joe McCarthy
• 5. James Ryan
• 6. Tadhg Beirne
• 7. Josh van der Flier
• 8. Caelan Doris

Replacements:

• 16. Gus McCarthy
• 17. Cian Healy
• 18. Tom O’Toole
• 19. Iain Henderson
• 20. Peter O’Mahony
• 21. Craig Casey
• 22. Jack Crowley
• 23. Garry Ringrose

TEAM NEWS: One late change on the Australian bench — Isaac Kailea replaces Angus Bell.

Expect some more magic from the Wallabies’ #23 Harry Potter, who scored his side’s only try on his debut against Scotland last week. He’s a wizard etc etc etc.

Australia

• 15. Tom Wright
• 14. Andrew Kellaway
• 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
• 12. Len Ikitau
• 11. Max Jorgensen
• 10. Noah Lolesio
• 9. Jake Gordon

• 1. James Slipper
• 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
• 3. Taniela Tupou
• 4. Nick Frost
• 5. Jeremy Williams
• 6. Rob Valetini
• 7. Fraser McReight
• 8. Harry Wilson (c)

Replacements:

• 16. Billy Pollard
• 17. Isaac Kailea
• 18. Allan Alaalatoa
• 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
• 20. Langi Gleeson
• 21. Tate McDermott
• 22. Tane Edmed
• 23. Harry Potter

While you’re counting down to kick-off, here’s Ciarán Kennedy’s match preview:

Prendergast came into November as an uncapped 21-year-old. He could well step out of it as the man to catch in the ongoing out-half race.

Farrell’s decision to start the young Leinster player against the Wallabies today [KO 3.10m, Virgin Media One/TNT Sports 1] is a massive call. The Ireland head coach will be fully aware of the pressure and attention it places on Jack Crowley, a 24-year-old who has done well on his first full year as a starting international 10. It’s the topic that has been brewing as a near-culture war in WhatsApp groups all week and will fill the bars pre, during and post-game.

The teams are out on the pitch and it’s time for the national anthems.

KICK OFF: Sam Prendergast gets us underway at the Aviva

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 1 min: Lolesio clears his lines by kicking long into Irish territory, and it’ll be a first chance for Ireland to work through the phases and try to build their attack.

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 2 mins: Prendergast puts it up into the air and it’s a tester for Lolesio who spills it forward. Scrum Ireland just outside the Australian 22.

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 3 mins: Scrum. Reset. Scrum. Reset. We’ll get going again momentarily, I hope.

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 4 mins: First big chance for Ireland as they take a quick tap and move it wide at pace. Keenan jinks through a few tackles and powers to within a few feet of the line, but then loses control at the vital moment and knocks it on.

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 7 mins: Gordon box kicks off the base of a ruck but Lowe rises highest and claims well. Any forward momentum that Ireland are hoping to get is squandered immediately as Bealham loses an easy one forward. Disappointing.

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 8 mins: Australia work it inside the Ireland 22 but Valetini tries to ship it out the back door and it goes to ground. We’ll have a TMO check here as well for head contact by Joe McCarthy on Valetini… there could be a yellow card coming here for the Leinster man.

Ireland 0-0 Australia — 8 mins: Referee Andrea Piardi deems it a low level of danger; penalty only and Ireland remain at 15 men.

PENALTY AUSTRALIA!

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 9 mins: It’s right in front of the posts for Lolesio and he slots it to give the visitors the opening points of the afternoon.

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 10 mins: Jorgensen tries to milk an escort penalty by running into the back of Doris as he chases a high ball, but there’s nothing doing there. Australia are pinged for coming in from the side, and Prendergast kicks the penalty into the 22.

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 11 mins: Another knock-on from Bealham as he looks to get his hands on it and carry. Lolesio kicks it clear from the back of the scrum and we’ll resume with an Ireland throw on the half-way line.

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 12 mins: A lost Irish lineout; Australia scoop up the loose ball.

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 13 mins: Superbly judged kick by Gibson-Park who spots space in behind and sees the ball bobble into touch a few yards short of the Wallabies line.

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 15 mins: A couple of nice backline moves from Ireland with some good touches and quick hands, but Bealham — who’s having a testing opening 15 minutes here — is isolated and Fraser McReight pounces for the turnover penalty.

Ireland 0-3 Australia — 17 mins: Lolesio tries to unlock the Irish defence by dinking one in behind for Jorgensen, but Keenan is in the right place to snuff out the danger for now.

TRY AUSTRALIA! Ireland 0-10 Australia (Jorgensen, 19′)

Australia make the breakthrough at the second time of asking. The pivotal play is a high hanging ball from Jake Gordon that Suaalii gets under and keeps alive. Kellaway looks odds-on to score out on the right wing, but as he jinks back inside, Prendergast gets just enough on a tap tackle to bring him down. No matter — Australia recycle to the left and Jorgensen finishes in the corner. Lolesio converts from out wide.

𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐄!

Max Jorgensen finishes a lovely move across the pitch!

☘️ 0-10 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/NjEBTsoIcW

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 30, 2024

Ireland 0-10 Australia — 20 mins: TMO check here against Valetini. He spilled the ball forward and as Hansen closed in, he puts his forearm into the Irish player’s neck.

Ireland 0-10 Australia — 20 mins: Again, it’s deemed to be a low level of danger, with more of the force on the body than the neck. Penalty Ireland.

Ireland 0-10 Australia — 21 mins: Prendergast tries to take it quickly, and sprints over the line, but it was too quick for Andrea Piardi so we’ll come back and do it again, much to the disappointment of the Irish crowd. Ireland go to the corner.

Ireland 0-10 Australia — 21 mins: Irish maul collapsed by Taniela Tupou. Penalty kicked to the corner again.

TRY IRELAND! Ireland 5-10 Australia (Van der Flier, 23′)

Ireland go off the top of the lineout with Van der Flier at first receiver, and Australia are instantly on the back foot. Ireland are held up just short of the line before Van der Flier drives over on a short carry.

Prendergast fires the conversion right and wide; he didn’t catch that one properly at all.

𝐕𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐑! 🟢

Ireland are up and running at last!

☘️ 5-10 🇦🇺#IREvAUS | #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/bSu9O8ns2R

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 30, 2024

Ireland 5-10 Australia — 26 mins: James Lowe and Ronan Kelleher combine to let a chance slip through their fingers. Lowe gets to the outside, and expects Kelleher to keep his width, but just as he releases the pass, Kelleher cuts back on an inside line and the ball floats harmlessly into touch.

Ireland 5-10 Australia — 28 mins: Another promising Ireland attack falls apart at the vital moment. Henshaw pops it to Kelleher on his shoulder, who in turn finds McCarthy, but he loses it forward a few yards short of the line and McReight scoops it up.

Ireland 5-10 Australia — 28 mins: Here come Ireland again, repelled by some staunch Wallabies defence, and then it’s lost forward off the fingertips of Lowe.

Ireland 5-10 Australia — 30 mins: Harry Wilson spots a gap around the fringes of the breakdown and brings Australia’s attack right into Irish territory. With green shirts scrambling, Australia kick in behind and Robbie Henshaw has to look alive to win a footrace and touch it dead in goal.

Ireland 5-10 Australia — 31 mins: Tupou tries to run half the length of the Aviva Stadium pitch! He reads a Doris pass perfectly and intercepts in midfield before making a beeline for the posts. He’s caught in two minds about what to do next, and Prendergast is on his shoulder to capitalise on the indecision. The out-half grabs the ball, but is isolated in possession, and Australia will have a very kickable penalty.

PENALTY AUSTRALIA!

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 33 mins: Lolesio converts and Australia lead by eight.

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 33 mins: Quick TMO check here for a hit by Suaalii on Prendergast to see if there was enough of a wrap in the tackle; nothing doing and play will resume with Australia’s put-in to a scrum in their own half.

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 34 mins: Smashing breakdown work from Tadhg Beirne who waits for Kellaway to lift it off the base of a ruck, plays the arm, and then gathers the ball as it pops into the air. Australia are pinged a phase later for going in off their feet and Prendergast kicks to the corner.

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 35 mins: Ireland lose the lineout on their own throw again and another promising field position goes to waste.

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 37 mins: Another TMO check here as Bealham kinda, sorta charges down Jorgensen but ultimately ends up taking him out long after the ball is gone.

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 37 mins: It’s late from Bealham alright, in the view of Andrea Piardi, but a penalty only.

Ireland 5-13 Australia — 39 mins: Ireland win a scrum penalty and with about 20 seconds left on the clock, Prendergast kicks it to about 30m short of the Australian line. One last play in this first half.

HALF TIME: Ireland 5-13 Australia

Back in a few.

SECOND HALF: We’re back underway.

PENALTY IRELAND!

Ireland 8-13 Australia — 43 mins: James Slipper is pinged for being on the wrong side of a ruck and Prendergast thumps the penalty over the bar from a good 40 yards out.

Ireland 8-13 Australia — 44 mins: Prendergast spots Lowe in space on the left wing and pick him out with a kick, but Lowe finds himself quickly isolated and it’s only the timely arrival of Gibson-Park that prevents a turnover or penalty. Ireland recycle and try to play in very close quarters on the wing, but Australia defend well.

Ireland 8-13 Australia — 46 mins: Keenan is LEVELLED by Suaalii who flies out of the line to hit him. The crowd think there was no attempt to wrap; referee Andrea Piardi waves play on.

Ireland 8-13 Australia — 47 mins: Outrageous work in the air by Hugo Keenan who does superbly to win a dropping ball over Kellaway inside the Australia 22 and get it back on the Irish side without knocking it on; credit too to Bundee Aki who was there to secure the loose ball.

TRY FOR IRELAND! Ireland 15-13 Australia (Doris, 48′)

Ireland’s lineout is bang on the money and Beirne feeds Gibson-Park who zips it to Lowe and gets Ireland to within a few feet of the line. The Australian defenders are sucked in and on the next phase, Doris is on the shoulder and thunders underneath the posts. Prendergast converts and for the first time, Ireland have their noses in front.

Australia substitutions: Kailea comes off the bench to replace Slipper in the front row; Alaalatoa is already on a few minutes in Tupou’s place. Ireland are readying a few changs of their own.

Ireland 15-13 Australia — 52 mins: Great counter-rucking from Bundee Aki allows Tadhg Beirne to poach the ball, but Ireland hand it straight back as James Ryan is isolated and fails to release on the ground.

Ireland substitutions: O’Toole, Henderson and O’Mahony on in place of Bealham, McCarthy and Ryan.

Ireland 15-13 Australia — 54 mins: O’Toole’s first action is to concede a penalty for not releasing the ball; this will be right in front of the posts and easy for Lolesio.

PENALTY AUSTRALIA!

Ireland 15-16 Australia — 55 mins: No mistake. The Wallabies are back in front.

Ireland substitution: Ringrose comes on to replace Aki in midfield.

Ireland 15-16 Australia — 59 mins: Not fluid from either side. A prolonged spell of Ireland possession ends with a Keenan knock-on under not much pressure; Lolesio overcooks his kick pass to Jorgensen.

Ireland 15-16 Australia — 60 mins: Prendergast kicks the ball harmlessly into the Australian 22 and Wright calls the mark. He can’t get the ball off the field, and it comes right back to Lolesio who does excellently to catch it just inside the 22 and call a mark again.

PENALTY AUSTRALIA!

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 63 mins: Penalty against Doris in the ruck, and Lolesio kicks Australia back into a four-point lead.

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 63 mins: Tate McDermott is on at scrum-half for Australia and he immediately has to look lively to snuff out the danger as Keenan tries a grubber in behind to see if he can put Lowe through.

Ireland substitutions: Andy Farrell changes it up in the half-backs: Casey and Crowley on for Gibson-Park and Prendergast.

Cian Healy comes off the bench for his 134th cap, becoming the most-capped man in Irish rugby history

What an ovation for Cian Healy as he comes off the bench; Take Me To Church plays out over the Aviva Stadium PA. Gus McCarthy shares the limelight as he comes on to replace Ronan Kelleher.

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 68 mins: Australia have a lineout on their own 22, and Tadhg Beirne has Tate McDermott under monstrous pressure. He gets his clearing kick away but Ireland are going to come right back at Australia here.

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 69 mins: Craig Casey has looked lively since coming on to replace Gibson-Park. Can Ireland find a breakthrough?

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 70 mins: Ireland penalty for a late charge and Crowley kicks it to within 10 yards of the line. Big moment here.

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 70 mins: Held up in goal! Gus McCarthy goes for it but Kellaway is underneath it; goal-line dropout for the Wallabies.

Ireland 15-19 Australia — 72 mins: Here come Ireland again! Lovely kick in behind by Crowley, and with Lowe bearing down on him, Wright can’t afford to take the chance and carries it into touch. 

TRY IRELAND! Ireland 22-19 Australia (McCarthy, 73′)

Perfect execution from Ireland. The lineout is on the money, there’s penalty advantage in Ireland’s favour, and they put the whole of their focus on the driving maul. McCarthy is at the bottom of it, and Ireland are back in front; Crowley makes it a three-point game with seven minutes to play.

Ireland 22-19 Australia — 75 mins: Three points down, Australia try to get something going in the Ireland half but McReight’s pass to Wright is just behind him and it’s lost forward. Ireland scrum.

Ireland 22-19 Australia — 77 mins: Play stopped so that Australia’s Tane Edmed — who is only on about three minutes at out-half — can leave for a HIA; he got caught on the wrong side of a tackle with Henshaw. Lolesio returns.

Ireland 22-19 Australia — 78 mins: Beirne knocks it on in the Australia half and the Wallabies will have a scrum with two minutes to play. One last chance.

Ireland 22-19 Australia — 78 mins: 80 seconds to play and Australia have it in their hands despite the Irish pressure. Ireland pinged for hands in the ruck — Australia kick it to half way.

Ireland 22-19 Australia — 79 mins: Twenty seconds to play. In Australia hands on the half way line.

Lost forward by Australia!

FULL TIME: Ireland 22-19 Australia

It wasn’t always pretty but Ireland finish their Autumn Nations Series with a hard-fought win.

Caelan Doris is the Player of the Match.

There’s relief but there’s definitely enjoyment there as well — they’re a quality side, Joe Schmidt-coached, they’re always going to be top class.

– Caelan Doris, speaking to TNT Sport

So Ireland finish their autumn series with three wins, bouncing back from that opening defeat to the All Blacks to beat Argentina, Fiji and now Australia.

That’s all for now, but stay with us over the course of the evening for lots more reaction from Murray Kinsella and Ciarán Kennedy at the Aviva Stadium.

Thanks for reading.