We have made eight changes to the Ireland team we want to see vs Australia

Another big one in store.

Ireland take on Australia this Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 8.10pm), in the third game of their Autumn Nations Series.

Andy Farrell will be picking a match-day 23 that is a lot closer to first choice than the one we saw against Japan, but hopefully a few faces looking to break in will get an opportunity against one of the best sides in the game.

Below is the squad we would like to see.

Front row

Paddy McCarthy has shown impressive physicality in his two Ireland cameos, and a start would do wonders for his development.

Ireland desperately need their set-piece men to sort the lineout, and as it seems more like a coaching/tactics issue rather than down to personnel, the usual suspects should get more time to put things right.

Gus McCarthy deserves a shot off the bench after impressing against Japan.

Second row

As we mentioned above, James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne will be back to try and sort out the lineout.

The Irish squad update did not give any information on Tom Ahern, who missed the Japan game through injury, so we can assume he is ready to play.

Back row

There has been much speculation over captain Caelan Doris moving to openside, where he finished the game against Japan.

The position switch allows for Jack Conan to come in at No 8, and his superior ball carrying and lineout ability could be just what the doctor ordered.

Josh van der Flier has also impressed off the bench for Leinster in the past.

Half-backs

Both Craig Casey and Sam Prendergast deserve the chance to close the gap on their respective rivals, both of whom will add serious bench impact.

Farrell can then make an informed call for Ireland’s final Autumn game against South Africa.

Centre

With Jamie Osborne injured, there are no younger options to try out.

If fit, Stuart McCloskey will most likely start, given his team-best showing against the All Blacks.

Back three

Ideally, Mack Hansen would fill in at fullback, but, despite returning to the Ireland squad, he doesn’t sound fit enough to be thrown straight back into the side, with the squad update describing his situation as “continuing to make positive strides in his rehabilitation.”

With an eye on the World Cup, it would be valuable to give Jacob Stockdale a start against top-tier opposition, given that James Lowe will be 35 in 2027.

Ireland 23 vs Australia:

1. Paddy McCarthy
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Ryan Baird
7. Caelan Doris
8. Jack Conan
9. Craig Casey
10. Sam Prendergast
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Tommy O’Brien
15. Jimmy O’Brien

Replacements: Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Tom Ahern, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley, James Lowe.