Returning from injury, Mack Hansen could fill in at fullback in the absence of Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne. Farrell has always admired Hansen’s playmaking skills and called him into the Ireland squad in November 2021 on the back of five eye-catching games for the western province in his debut season. Ireland’s backs coach Andrew Goodman lauded Hansen’s positive energy on his return to camp and also confirmed Stuart McCloskey has returned to full training. IRELAND (possible, v Australia): M Hansen; T O’Brien, R Henshaw, S McCloskey, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; J Ryan, T Beirne; R Baird, C Doris (capt), J Conan. Replacements: R Kelleher/G McCarthy, P McCarthy, T Clarkson, C Prendergast, N Timoney, C Casey, J Crowley, B Aki.
