Cian Healy is to break Brian O’Driscoll’s cap record as Ireland face Australia this Saturday.
Healy as he is set to become Ireland's most capped player of all time, moving to 134 caps and past Brian O'Driscoll should he come off the replacements bench on Saturday.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe start in the Ireland back three. Whereas, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw continuing their midfield partnership. Indeed, Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast are named at scrum-half and out-half respectively.
Whereas, in the pack, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham start in the front row. Whereas, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in the engine room. Indeed, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and Captain Caelan Doris making up the back row.
Indeed, Healy, who made his Ireland debut against Australia in November 2009, is set for a milestone appearance off the bench.
Also on the bench are Gus McCarthy, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony as the forward reinforcements. Whereas, backs Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Garry Ringrose complete the Ireland match day squad for the final test of the year.
Cian Healy a giant of Irish rugby
"Saturday’s Test match is a significant milestone in the story of Irish rugby” said Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
“Aside from the 150th celebrations, for Cian (Healy) it presents the opportunity to break the Test cap record, which is a remarkable achievement considering the robustness of his position”.
“Cian is a giant of Irish rugby and we are determined to provide him with a performance that he deserves”.
"We have seen steady improvements over the last few weeks and the visit of a strong Wallabies presents another challenge for the squad”.
“There has been a collective determination to drive forward and finish the Autumn Nations Series on a high.”
Whereas, Ireland conclude their Autumn Nations Series campaign against the Wallabies as part of Irish Rugby's 150th Anniversary celebrations. Indeed, Farrell's side will wear a specially produced one-off jersey.
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster), 14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht), 13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), 12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht), 11. James Lowe (Leinster), 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), 1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), 2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), 3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht), 4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster), 5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), 6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), 7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), 8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) (C)
Replacements: 16. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster), 17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), 18. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster), 19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster), 20. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), 21. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster), 22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), 23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster).
