Australia vs Ireland Preview & Prediction | 2026 Nations Championship | Round 1
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The first round of the inaugural Nations Championship sees Ireland travel to Sydney to take on an Australia side who are still yet to deliver on their promise under Joe Schmidt.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – RugbyPass TV
Australia team news: Jock Campbell back in the fold
Squad: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Josh Nasser, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Josh Canham, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Tom Hooper, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Tom Wright
Ireland team news: Injured Crowley absent
Squad: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jamie Osborne, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Tom O'Toole, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki
Australia vs Ireland prediction
Joe Schmidt remains in charge of Australia despite a hugely underwhelming spell in the hot seat to date, albeit with a couple of bright moments here and there.
The Wallabies have lost seven of their last eight matches, which includes a 46-19 defeat to Ireland in November last year. Indeed, they only managed a win against Japan in that particular spell of matches.
Ireland will come into this with far more conviction having acquitted themselves well in the Six Nations earlier this year. Coming second behind a hugely impressive French side, Ireland's only defeat was against those opponents in Paris.
Although this contest takes place in Sydney, it is difficult to have confidence in this stuttering Australia outfit. All signs point towards a win for the northern hemisphere side in this one.
Australia vs Ireland tip: Ireland to win
