Ireland v Australia predictions: Injury-hit Wallabies look vulnerable

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's autumn international between Ireland and Australia.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime, 8pm Saturday

Best bet

Ireland to win by one to 12 points
1pt 19-10 Betfred

Match preview

Ireland stand top of the World Rugby rankings with victories over New Zealand and South Africa under their belts this year and they are as big as 12-point favourites to add Australia to their list of scalps.

It's four years since the teams last clashed but Ireland have won four of the last five meetings - all by five points or fewer - and although Saturday's handicap is sizeable, it probably reflects the gulf between the teams right now.

Ireland have added consistency to their list of strengths under Andy Farrell while things have gone in the opposite direction for the Wallabies, who hit a low point last week, suffering their first defeat to Italy.

Australia coach Dave Rennie made plenty of changes to his side for that clash in Florence and has restored his available first-choice players to the line-up in Dublin, including half-back pairing Nic White and Bernard Foley.

But he is still without a host of injured stars, including powerhouse backs Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete, and they may struggle to match Ireland's physicality and scoring threat.

In contrast, Ireland have had nothing but good news on the injury front as fly-half Johnny Sexton, full-back Hugo Keenan plus forwards Josh van der Flier, James Ryan and Andrew Porter were all sidelined for last week's match against Fiji but are good to go.

Farrell declared himself unhappy with a 35-17 victory over the Fijians so both teams will be fired up to deliver more a week on.

A double-figure handicap looks achievable, but a rainy evening is forecast in Dublin and given the likelihood that a chastened Australia side will look to dig in and keep a cautious mindset, an Irish win by no more than 12 points looks a better bet.

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