Ireland recover to edge past Australia and end year on high

Ireland concluded their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a hard-fought 22-19 win over Australia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from Andy Farrell’s men but it marks their third victory on the spin after a first home defeat in more than three years against New Zealand that kicked off their campaign.

The Wallabies had led for much of the contest and held a 13-5 advantage at the interval thanks to Max Jorgensen’s try and some superb kicking from Noah Lolesio.

Sam Prendergast, making his second start for Ireland, failed to convert Josh van der Flier’s try in the opening period but he made no such mistake with a penalty and conversion shortly after the break to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match.

Ireland’s second try of the afternoon came when their captain and player of the match Caelen Doris charged over underneath the posts following an attacking line-out.

Joe Schmidt’s side restored their lead through a couple of Lolesio penalties but Gus McCarthy scored a late try to give Ireland the crucial advantage.

The 21-year-old, who was making his second appearance following his start against Fiji last week, was at the heart of the maul that was able to get over the line to make the winning score.