Ireland v Australia 26/11/16 5:30pm. RTE2 and Sky 2

CMOTDibbler

So here it is, the last of the Autumn wine. A long wait until the Six Nations and the chance to show the home nations what we've learned in the meantime.

|No.|
Rob Kearney|15|Israel Folau
Andrew Trimble|14|Dane Haylett-Perry
Jared Payne|13|Tevita Kuridrani
Garry Ringrose|12|Reece Hodge
Keith Earls|11|Henry Speight
Paddy Jackson|10|Brenard Foley
Conor Murray|9|Will Genia
Jamie Heaslip|8|David Pocock
Josh Van der Flier|7|Michael Hooper
CJ Stander|6|Dean Mumm
Devin Toner|5|Rob Simmons
Iain Henderson|4|Rory Arnold
Tadhg Furlong|3|Sekope Kepu
Rory Best|2|Stephen Moore
Jack McGrath|1|Scott Sio
Sean Cronin|16|Tolu Latu
Cian Healy|17|James Slipper
Finlay Bealham|18|Allan Alaalatoa
Ultan Dillane|19|Kane Douglas
Peter O'Mahony|20|Sean McMahon
Kieran Marmion|21|Nick Phipps
Joey Carbery|22|Quade Cooper
Simon Zebo|23|Sefanaia Naivalu


Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistant Referees: JP Doyle, Craig Maxwell-Keys (both England)
Television Match Official: Eric Gauzins (France)

Given the short time I had to prepare for this, I couldn't put much effort into the write ups.

Ireland
With Sexton, Henshaw and O'Brien missing in action, there's more than a whiff of what happened to us in the World Cup in our nostrils. Having said that, we are starting with Paddy Jackson who's had a bit of a run out already and the very raw but interestingly exciting Joey Carbery on the bench. Henshaw is replaced by the equally exciting Garry Ringtone and although he hasn't done anything Bodesque to earn the hype, he hasn't done anything wrong either.

Peter O'Mahony will have to champ on the bit from the bench until Joe unleashes him, so we're hoping for a big performance to show us what we've missed as did Sean O'Brien last Saturday. Rory Best earns his 100th cap today and well may it wear.

Australia
Led by that lovable clown; Michael Cheika, who is still mentioned in dispatches in D4 land for his efforts in turning the ladyboys of Leinster into the juggernaut that went on to win three European Cups, Australia (or Oz as it's fondly known as) have pretty much kept a clean sheet on this trip north of the wall. He'll be hoping to keep that record clean as the Oz train rumbles on to Twickers. Pretty much working from a fresh and full pack, Australia would probably be tight favourites for this encounter. We'll see...

Verdict
If we can keep our noses clean and avoid giving silly penalties and possession away and keep our accuracy, the crowd will get right behind us and keep us going in the tight exchanges. A lot of young/second choice players will have to have the game of their lives to keep Oz at bay.

Oz by a score.

irishbucsfan

Ireland by 7 million points

mr. pleasant

nice moment for Rory Best.

MJohnston

ROG is a bit more perceptive than Horgan on the analysis of our blunt attack against NZ there. Horgan only mentions the 'what' (1 out runners) and criticises it, ROG explains why we were stuck reverting to that.

Lovely tweed there on Michael D.

Stheno

Lovely moment for Rory with his kids

pickarooney

Missing this, at a third division game... Regular updates if you please.

MJohnston

Jaysis, Nigel Owens isn't taking this weekend easy.

Feels a bit rushed....

LostArt

Ireland by a score!

First time I've really paid attention to the handshakes. Some pretty limp ones in there!!

gmurphy70

Really think ROGs analysis is great, no BS . Can't warm to Horgan at all

CMOTDibbler

By the way, I'm really, really, really hoping we can do this. I just feel we're a bit under strength for the Wallabies.

ScrubsfanChris

Basil3 wrote: »

First time I've really paid attention to the handshakes. Some pretty limp ones in there!!

As a pro rugby player, how can you judge the pressure needed for a handshake with a frail old man

Neil3030

Jack McGrath also kinda looks like a shark. Certainly in the shape of his torso anyway.

the groutch

whatever the result, here's hoping the ref & TMO do a good job today.

LuckyGent88

Just don't think we have enough in our attack to cause Australia problems but Australia can be fairly average at times so hopefully today is one of those days.

Ireland by 3

irishbucsfan

Stephen Moore the Aussie Irishman and Finlay Bealham the Irish Aussie

MJohnston

gmurphy70 wrote: »

Really think ROGs analysis is great, no BS . Can't warm to Horgan at all

Horgan seems to be going for the old style of punditry, Hook style, little detail, lots of hyperbole. He can be analytical when he wants to but seems to prefer the hyperbole.

Pitch looking in pretty bad condition, isn't it?

Adbrowne

Head charge on murray?

laugh

Tap and go here please.

MJohnston

Murray looked very dazed there

irishbucsfan

Madness not taking these points

LuckyGent88

Aggressive start anyway

Neil3030

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

As a pro rugby player, how can you judge the pressure needed for a handshake with a frail old man

"YOU SQUEEZE UNTIL HIS EYES EXPLODE"

- M. Johnson

irishbucsfan

Another shocking decision not to take our points let's us down again. Not sure what the logic is behind this at all.

whatawaster

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Madness not taking these points

Worked in Chicago

Korat

That's disappointing.

laugh

Need a lankier wing.

whatawaster

Terrible from Trimble

MJohnston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Another shocking decision not to take our points let's us down again. Not sure what the logic is behind this at all.

Best must have read all the moaners on here last week