Australia to upset Ireland in first Nations Championship match

• Campbell will start Australia’s fullback against Ireland in Sunday’s clash
• Australia will have Carter Gordon and Ryan Lonergan in the back row, with James Slipper to come off the bench
• Ireland’s Sam Prendergast will start at 10, replacing Jamie Osborne at fly-half

Australia’s Jock Campbell will start at fullback as the two sides meet in the Nations Championship match against Ireland in Sydney. The two teams will be looking to make an early statement.

For Australia, Jock Campbell will start at fullback after scoring in his first test for the Wallabies in 2022. The win came from Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch, with a try in the third quarter from Carter Gordon and Ryan Lonergan.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s other line will be led by Josh Canham, who replaces Jeremy Williams. The captain for the match is Harry Wilson. Also starting is James Slipper, who comes in after being suspended for a red card.

The match at Sydney’s Stadium Australia begins the first Nations Championship clash between the two nations. For France, who are currently second in the Six Nations standings, the two teams are separated by 11 points against Italy, who are 18 points behind. Les Kiss’ team will be looking to keep their momentum going.

Ireland will head into the game with a number of changes for Six Nations 2026, with the team’s captain taking on the role of Italy’s 20-13. In the match against Australia, Sam Prendergast will start at fly-half.

Andy Farrell’s forwards will see Jamie Osborne at lock, with Stuart McCloskey coming in at blindside flanker, and Garry Ringrose at centre. Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast will start in the centres, with Hugo Keenan at centre.

Australia also has the chance to make it count, with their second-half form having been strong in London at the last time they faced the British side.

Tags: Sport/Football