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Sexton starts v Australia with McCarthy set for debut off bench

Johnny Sexton, Josh van der Flier and Peter O'Mahony are among those who return
Johnny Sexton, Josh van der Flier and Peter O'Mahony are among those who return

Ireland's injury worries have cleared up ahead of Saturday's final Test of the Autumn Nations Series against Australia at the Aviva Stadium.

Johnny Sexton, Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan, James Ryan and Andrew Porter all missed last week's win versus Fiji due to injuries, but all five have been restored to the line-up, among eight changes to the starting team.

Leinster's Joe McCarthy (below) is also in line to make his debut off the bench, with the second row among the replacements. The 21-year-old featured for Ireland XV on the summer tour of New Zealand, while also represented Ireland A in their recent defeat to an All Blacks XV at the RDS.

Bundee Aki is also named on the bench, with the Connacht centre returning from a seven-week suspension following his red card in the BKT United Rugby Championship in September.

With Aki on the bench, it means Stuart McCloskey retains his place in the side, having impressed against South Africa and Fiji, with Garry Ringrose coming in for the injured Robbie Henshaw.

Sexton comes in at out-half to partner Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs, with Munster's Jack Crowley set for his second cap off the bench.

Keenan returns to the side at 15, but Jimmy O'Brien (below) keeps his place in the side, showing his versatility by switching to the wing after appearing at full-back and centre in previous weeks.

Mack Hansen swaps from the left to the right wing, with Rob Baloucoune dropping out of the squad.

It's a first-choice pack, with Porter and Sheehan joining Tadhg Furlong in the front row. Ryan and Beirne continue their partnership in the second row, with Iain Henderson missing out, having only recently returned to full training following surgery on his hand in the summer.

Caelan Doris swaps back from the flank to number 8, with Van der Flier and Peter O'Mahony either side of him.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Johnny Sexton, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Bundee Aki

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