Donal Lenihan believes Ireland will get the better of Australia in their Test on Saturday but that it will be "more competitive than people realise".
The Wallabies go into the match off the back of narrow defeats to France, and for the first time, Italy. With Ireland ranked number one in the world, expectation will be high that Andy Farrell's team can follow up November wins over South Africa and Fiji.
However, Lenihan warned that victory will not come easily despite Australia's performance in Italy.
"Australia are a proud rugby nation. They took a lot of flak over that defeat in Florence last week," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"There will be a reaction but there are question marks over their front five and if they don't front up there, then Ireland I think will end (up winners).
"It's been a brilliant season for Ireland. We're eight out of 10, the only games we lost were away to France and away to New Zealand, and even that New Zealand loss was followed by two weeks in a row of victories over the All Blacks Down Under.
"Of the four players nominated for World Player, we have two in Johnny Sexton and Josh van der Flier, so I'd like to think we'll finish the year on a high. But it's going to be far more competitive than people might appreciate."
Lenihan pointed to the one-point defeat to France as evidence of what Australia are capable of when operating at their best.
"It's been a horrible year for Australia but that said, when they're fully locked and loaded, they can be very dangerous," he said.
"For any indicators of that, they were four points ahead against France in the Stade de France only two weeks ago with three minutes to go.
"They managed to lose that. They had New Zealand beaten in Sydney before a controversial refereeing decision in the end.
"But really the low point for them was losing to Italy for the first time last week. That was a low point for Australian rugby.
"But this is a different team (for Saturday). They don't have great strength in depth at the moment but when they have their first choice team out, they'll be really competitive. I've no doubt Andy Farrell will be wary of that."
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