Ireland are aiming to complete a dream season on the pitch by winning a three-test series in Australia for the first time. Read on for details on where to watch Ireland vs Australia and some good news: you don't have to get up too early to watch it.
Where to watch Ireland vs Australia?
The first Test is live from 10.45am on Sky Sports Main Event on Saturday monring, with kick off in Brisbane at 11am.
What's the Irish team likely to be?
It has yet to be announced, although The Irish Times tend to get a hint at the team the day before it is named. With that in mind, it looks like Joe Schmidt is set to experiment somewhat, in spite of the fact that he has brought a full-strength squad Down Under. (The exception is Rory Best, who misses out through injury).
It's anticipated that Munster-bound Joey Carbery will start at out-half, as Schmidt looks to deepen his options in that position ahead of the next year's World Cup. Elsewhere, the paper reports that Gary Ringrose, Dan Leavy, and the first-choice front-row will be replaced by Robbie Henshaw, Jordi Murphy, Jack McGrath, Rob Herring and John Ryan.
Are Australia in good form?
Nope. Pretty rotten form, in fact. They ended last season with an appalling tour of Europe in which they were eviscerated 53-24 by Scotland and also beaten by Eddie Jones' misfiring England, losing 30-6. They finished second in last year's Rugby Championships, although were distant runners-up to New Zealand. Added to all of this, the sport has been thrown into controversy by homophobic comments made by their star and talisman, Israel Folau. So all in all, far from ideal preparation for Michael Cheika and co.
Does that make Ireland favourites?
Just about. The bookies make Ireland narrow, two-point favourites for the first Test in Brisbane.
So a reminder on where to watch Ireland vs Australia: it is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 10.45am on Saturday morning, with kick-off at 11am. You can follow it on Balls - we'll have player ratings and the best of the action as it happens.
