Australia vs Ireland: Fly-half Sam Prendergast is brought back and Jamie Osborne starts on the wing for the visitors

Sam Prendergast’s strong finish to the season with Leinster has helped him return to Ireland for Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney.

The 23-year-old lost the fly-half spot to Jack Crowley during the Six Nations, but with the Munster playmaker sidelined through injury, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell rewarded Prendergast with leading Leinster to the United Rugby Championship (URC) title.

With Tommy O’Brien sidelined and James Lowe leaving Irish rugby, Farrell opted to opt for Jamie Osborne on the left wing for the match at Allianz Stadium (11:10 BST).

Tom O’Toole starts at loose-head prop, a problem position for Farrell along with Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy.

Stuart McCloskey, outstanding in Ireland’s Triple Crown-winning Six Nations campaign, has recovered from a hamstring injury to join Gary Ringrose in midfield.

However, Tadhg Beirne is only fit enough for a place on the bench as Cian Prendergast gets another chance to impress in the back row.