Australia vs Ireland: Joe Schmidt recalls big guns as Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose start
Australia head coach Michael Cheika names an unchanged starting line-up for the first time during his tenure
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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has beefed up his pack with Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy returning to the front row and brought backline general Johnny Sexton into the starting lineup for their must-win second test against Australia on Saturday.
All three players came off the bench in the 18-9 first test loss in Brisbane, where Schmidt looked at some of his fringe players with an eye on next year's World Cup in Japan.
Ireland struggled up front against the Wallabies at Lang Park while their backline attack was less direct than normal and the three veterans were among eight changes to the starting lineup for the clash at Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium.
Dan Leavy has been brought in as the openside flanker, replacing Jordi Murphy, with a mandate to prevent David Pocock from creating the same kind of havoc at the breakdown as he did last week that stopped Ireland recycling the ball quickly and building phases.
Devin Toner has been brought into the side in place of Iain Henderson to create more pressure on a short Wallabies lineout that had its share of wobbles last week. Toner stands at 2.10 metres tall, while Henderson is 1.98m.
Niall Scannell has been selected at hooker ahead of Rob Herring, ensuring Ireland have an entirely new starting front row with Furlong and Healy, who are expected to put pressure on the Wallabies from the first scrum.
Garry Ringrose has returned to the midfield with Robbie Henshaw, with New Zealand-born inside centre Bundee Aki dropping out of the 23-man matchday squad.
Andrew Conway has been brought in on the right wing, forcing Keith Earls to shift to the left with Jacob Stockdale dropping out of the matchday squad.
Australia meanwhile named an unchanged 23, marking the first time that head coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged 23 for back-to-back matches in his 46 games in charge of the Wallabies since taking the head coaching job in November 2014.
Rugby Australia said Thursday that Cheika resisted the urge to change a winning formula despite the return of flanker Ned Hanigan (knee injury) and lock Rory Arnold (suspension).
Teams
Australia: Israel Folau; Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Kurtley Beale, Dane Haylett-Petty; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Sekope Kepu; Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Caleb Timu.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Reece Hodge.
Ireland: Rob Kearney; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Niall Scanell, Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Dan Leavy, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.
PA/Reuters
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