Autumn Internationals: Johnny Sexton returns to lead Ireland against Australia, Bundee Aki back on bench | Rugby Union News

Ireland host Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday; captain Johnny Sexton has recovered from his dead leg in South Africa; Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose start in the middle; Bundee Aki is now available for selection after suspension and has been named on the bench

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton has missed the team’s meeting with Fiji due to a sprain he sustained against South Africa.

Johnny Sexton has returned from injury to lead Ireland against Australia on Saturday. Bundee Aki is available again after the suspension and the appearance on the bench.

Sexton suffered a leg injury in South Africa and missed the team’s friendly against Fiji last week.

The Ireland captain will link up with Jamison Gibson-Park as his back-row partner and the pair will have midfielders Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose out wide.

Hugo Keenan has been selected at fullback and will pick up his 25th cap, while Jimmy O’Brien and Mack Hansen move to the right.

James Ryan returns to the second row to partner Tadhg Beirne. Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony return to the back row, with Caelan Doris switching from skin to No8.

Joe McCarthy has been named as one of his replacements and could claim his first Ireland cap if called up for the game.

Aki has 40 caps to add to the game while Craig Casey has the chance to play against Australia for the first time.

Seven of Ireland’s starting XI will be facing Australia for the first time and the Wallabies arrive in Dublin smarting from their first loss to Italy last week.

Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jimmy O’Brien, 10. Johnny Sexton (captain), 9. Jamison Gibson Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan , 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris.

Substitutes: 16. Rob Herring, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Joe McCarthy, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Bundee Aki.

The Wallabies are back in the Irish Test

Australia are focused on bouncing back after their first loss to Italy last week

Australia have made 10 changes and recalled many of their encounters with Ireland as they look to prevent a recall from last week.

James Slipper returns to the forward line for what will be his 126th Test cap. Slipper forms the forward line with David Porecki and Allan Alaalatoa.

Cadeyrn Neville and Nick Frost have changed their partnership for the second time at the Aviva Stadium, overcoming a minor knee injury suffered in France and illness to replace him. Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini make up the back line.

Scrum-half Nic White will play his 59th Test for his country and partner Bernard Foley at half-back. Midfielders Hunter Paisamj and Len Ikitau will both face Ireland for the first time.

“We were all very disappointed after the game last weekend,” head coach Dave Rennie said. “We are better than that and we need to respond against Ireland at home.

“We’ve had a great week of preparation and welcomed a lot of experience to the team this week.

“We are excited about the challenge of playing the number one side in the world and we can’t wait for Saturday night.”

Australia: 15. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13. Len Ikitau, 12. Hunter Paisami, 11. Tom Wright, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Nic White, 1. James Slipper (captain), 2. Dave Porecki, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Rob Valetini.

Substitutes: 16. Folau Fainga’a, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Will Skelton, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Jake Gordon, 22. Noah Lolesio, 23. Jordan Petaia