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 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
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
Ireland 5-13 Australia
35 min: Australia run it from a scrum inside their own half, but it backfires when Tadhg Beirne steals the ball from the hands of an unsuspecting Jake Gordon at the breakdown a moment later. Ireland win a penalty and Prendergast kicks deep into the corner… but the Irish lineout is too long and gifted back to Australia!
Ireland have made too many mistakes in this half.
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 15:56
Penalty! Ireland 5-13 Australia (Lolesio, 33 min)
Sam Prendergast smashes a kick from deep inside Irish territory well into the Australian half and Ireland have a lineout – but Australia’s Taniela Tupou intercepts a pass and surges into empty space from 50 metres. He’s eventually caught, but a penalty at the next ruck allows Lolesio the chance for a simple three points, which he takes.
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2024 15:53
