Ireland vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from autumn international as Ireland edge to tight win

Ireland 13-10 Australia: Ross Byrne’s late pressure penalty was enough for the hosts to edge to victory after Bundee Aki got their only try

Johnny Sexton says Ireland will ‘only be the best team by winning’ World Cup

Ross Byrne landed a dramatic late penalty as Ireland overcame the loss of captain Johnny Sexton to cap a stellar year with a disjointed 13-10 win over Australia. Replacement fly-half Byrne nailed a difficult kick from wide on the right with just three minutes remaining in Dublin to earn Ireland a record-equalling 12th successive home victory.

Andy Farrell’s men struggled for large parts of a disappointing contest and could easily have ended 2022 with a serious reality check against opponents beaten by Italy just last weekend.

Ireland centre Bundee Aki marked his return from an eight-game ban with the opening try but the game remained in the balance in the closing stages after Jordan Petaia crossed for the Wallabies.

A difficult evening for the Irish began with talisman Sexton withdrawing through injury, with his deputy Jack Crowley booting five points on his maiden Test start before Byrne, who was elevated to the bench at the 11th hour, proving to be the match-winner.

Relive the action from the autumn international between Ireland and Australia below:

Ireland vs Australia

• FULL-TIME! Ireland 13-10 Australia
• Ross Byrne’s late penalty edges Ireland to narrow win over Wallabies
• 76’ - PENALTY! Byrne nails pressure penalty to put Ireland ahead (IRE 13-10 AUS)
• 70’ - TRY! Petaia slices through to level things up (IRE 10-10 AUS)
• 66’ - TRY! Aki powers over for game’s first try (IRE 10-3 AUS)
• HALF-TIME! Ireland 3-0 Australia

[19 November 2022 20:26 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-0 Australia, 20 mins

Tom Wright jinks his way between a couple of defenders to take the Wallabies into enemy territory. But again, the Aussies turn the ball over and Ireland can exit, which they do through Gibson-Park’s box kick.

But Caelan Doris is offside in front of the kick and the Wallabies will take a shot at the posts.

[19 November 2022 20:25 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-0 Australia, 18 mins

Again a scrappy lineout but it falls the Australian way and they are just outside the Irish 22 but White knocks on in contact to give Ireland the scrum.

It’s been messy round the breakdown so far. In fact, this game has been pretty scrappy in general.

[19 November 2022 20:23 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-0 Australia, 16 mins

O’Mahony pinged for a high cleanout and Australia have a platform in Irish territory.

[19 November 2022 20:20 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-0 Australia, 14 mins

Should have mentioned earlier but Jordan Petaia is on in the centres for Australia after Hunter Paisami took a knock in the early going and couldn’t recover.

Clever kick over the head of Tom White by Gibson-Park pins the Wallabies back and gives them a lineout 10 metres from their own line. It’s not clean but the knock-on comes from an Irish arm, so now it’s a scrum for the visitors.

[19 November 2022 20:17 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 3-0 Australia, 11 mins

Ireland cough up the kick-off but Australia immediately pinged again for a neck roll at the ruck just outside the Irish 22. Their discipline has been pretty poor on this tour and it’s already costing them again.

Ireland relieve the pressure with a kick to touch and have the lineout in Australian territory

[19 November 2022 20:16 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! IRELAND 3-0 Australia (Crowley, 9 mins)

This time the pressure tells for Ireland as Stuart McCloskey makes a big carry and Australia are pinged at the breakdown just outside the 22. A kickable penalty for Jack Crowley, right of centre - can he knock over a nerve-settler?

Yes he can! Slotted with minimal fuss and Ireland lead. That will do wonders for the youngster’s confidence you’d think.

[19 November 2022 20:13 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 0-0 Australia, 7 mins

Nice sidestep by Beirne makes a few yards and Ireland then enter the Aussie 22 for the first time as Crowley has a dart.

Great turnover by Michael Hooper on the deck! He nicks the ball cleanly and Australia can clear. Not a great kick, meaning Jimmy O’Brien can run it back into the Wallabies half and Mack Hansen then makes good ground down the right wing but his grubber through is collected. Australia clear up towards halfway

[19 November 2022 20:11 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 0-0 Australia, 5 mins

Better from Ireland as they exchange kicks with Australia and then Tadhg Beirne gets over the ball brilliantly at the ruck to win a penalty just inside the opposition half.

Crowley kicks for the corner but it’s not a great kick - he only makes limited ground, not even into the 22, although it is an Ireland lineout at least

[19 November 2022 20:08 · Luke Baker]

NO TRY! Ireland 0-0 Australia, 4 mins

Australia opt to tap and go from the penalty. Good defence from Ireland initially although decent carries by Slipper and Valentini.

And then Nic White slides though a hole and dives over for a try! What a start by the Wallabies.

Ah, but after a TMO check, it’s a neck roll at the ruck by the Wallabies on Josh van der Flier and the try is chalked off. A let-off for Ireland

[19 November 2022 20:07 · Luke Baker]

Ireland 0-0 Australia, 3 mins

The Wallabies win the penalty off the scrum and this is a strong start for the visitors.

Some news on Johnny Sexton’s injury, which is the big news so far. He suffered a calf injury in the warm-up and was forced to withdraw ahead of kick-off. What a huge chance for Jack Crowley at No 10. An incredible talent but limited international experience - he’ll relish this opportunity.

The back-up fly-half slot has never really been solidified for Ireland. Joey Carbery has shown flashes but is now injured, so Jack Crowley - let’s see what you can do.