🗓️ Date: Saturday 15 November 2025

🕐 Kick-off: 20:10 GMT

🏟️ Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

📺 Broadcast: TNT Sports (UK & Ireland) - more TV info here

Tickets: Via Ticketmaster

📊 Stats to know

• Ireland have won 6 of their last 7 matches against Australia (L1), including each of the last

  4 in a row – their joint-longest run against the Wallabies (also 1958–1968). All six of those victories came by margins of five points or fewer

• Ireland have won 11 of their last 12 home games against Rugby Championship sides (L1).

• Australia have lost each of their last four away games against Six Nations sides after winning three of the previous four.

• Australia have the highest scrum success rate of any Tier 1 nation in 2025 (99%), 10 percentage points higher than Ireland (89%).

• Fraser McReight (Australia) won the most turnovers in the last round (3) and has now won twice as many overall as any other Tier 1 player in 2025 (22).

👥 Teams

Ireland: 15 Mack Hansen; 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe; 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Paddy McCarthy, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Caelan Doris (c), 8 Jack Conan

Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Bundee Aki

Australia: 15 Max Jorgensen; 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter; 10 James O’Connor, 9 Jake Gordon; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Tom Hooper; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c)

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Andrew Kellaway

🔍 Overview

Ireland welcome Australia to Dublin for a prime-time showdown in the Quilter Nations Series. It’s a fixture loaded with recent history, not least the Lions tour, where Irish players dominated the Test team and helped secure a series win on Australian soil. The Wallabies, still smarting from that defeat, arrive with a point to prove.

Joe Schmidt’s side stunned South Africa in Johannesburg earlier this year, overturning a 22–0 deficit to win 38–22 - their first win at Ellis Park in 62 years. That result has reignited belief in the gold jersey, and revenge against Ireland would be a statement win.

💬 What's been said

"The Wallabies are hoping James O'Connor's calming influence and more intent at the breakdown will spark a desperately-needed revival against European powerhouses Ireland. Insipid losses to England and lowly-ranked Italy have left the Wallabies halfway towards a demoralising winless spring tour that would have dire ramifications ahead of next month's 2027 Rugby World Cup draw." - Rugby.com.au

"This week, Australia bring unpredictability and that makes them dangerous. Ireland’s focus has to remain internal. Less on selection debates, more on attitude and execution. Set-piece efficiency, ruck speed and the simple catch-pass accuracy that underpins everything. Accepting that Ireland’s attacking shape won’t change dramatically, it’s about executing it better." - Gordon D'Arcy, The Irish Times

🧠 Tactical focus

Expect a structured, high-tempo game plan from Ireland, who got better and better as the game against Japan went on last Saturday. Jamison Gibson-Park’s speed at the base, and a pack featuring Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan, and Caelan Doris can be nigh-on irrepressible.

Australia will lean on centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's x-factor and Harry Wilson's dogged work at the base of the scrum. Their comeback win over South Africa showed they can absorb pressure and strike with speed - something Ireland will need to manage carefully - but they will also be smarting from the loss to Italy in Udine last weekend.

🌟 Player Spotlights

☘️ Ireland

• Tadhg Beirne – Player of the Match in the Lions’ first Test win over Australia. Dominated breakdowns and carried well.

• Dan Sheehan – Scored a crucial try and was flawless at the lineout. One of the most consistent hookers in world rugby.

• Jamison Gibson-Park – Controlled tempo and territory with smart kicking and fast ruck speed.

🦘 Australia – Form & motivation

• Harry Wilson – Even when the chips are down, as they were in Udine, carries like a Trojan and never stops.

• Jams O'Connor – The fly-half who's seen it all is rolling back the years in Test colours.

• Harry Potter – Speedster who adds real firepower to the back three.

🏟️ Aviva Stadium Matchday Experience

Expect a full house at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland take on Australia under the lights. From early afternoon, the pubs around Ballsbridge — The Bath, Searsons, and Slattery’s — will be buzzing with fans grabbing food, drinks, and talking rugby. There’ll be plenty of chat about the Lions tour, where Irish players played a key role in the series win over Australia, and just as much speculation about how the Wallabies might respond. With kick-off set for 20:10, the build-up will stretch into the evening, creating a lively, packed atmosphere across the city. Whether you’re heading into the stadium or soaking it up from a nearby pub, matchday in Dublin always delivers. Passionate fans, big stakes, and a proper rugby occasion.