All you need to know before Ireland v Australia

Ireland narrowly beat Australia in a gripping Test in November 2024

Ireland are back in action on Saturday as Australia visit Dublin in their third autumn international.

It has been a mixed start to Ireland's November, with a win over Japan and a loss to New Zealand.

Joe Schmidt's Wallabies, despite winning the last Test of the British and Irish Lions series in July, are on a poor run of form.

Despite that, the two served up a thriller in Dublin last year and many will be hoping for the same again.

From the form guide to BBC Sport coverage, here is all you need to know before the game.

When and where is Ireland v Australia?

The match will take place at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 15 November.

Kick-off in Dublin is at 20:10 GMT.

How can I follow the game on the BBC?

There will be live radio commentary on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster with commentator Jim Neilly alongside former former Ulster scrum-half Paul Marshall from 20:00 GMT, while Claire Small and Gareth Steenson will be in the studio.

The commentary will also be available on the BBC Sport website and app, where you can also follow build-up and blow-by-blow action with our live text commentary from 18:30 GMT.

For all the build-up and analysis between now and Saturday, make sure to follow our dedicated Irish Rugby page.

What form are Ireland and Australia in?

Australia have lost five of their last six matches, including autumn defeats by England and Italy

Ireland finished third in the Six Nations. Despite winning four of their five games, a 15-point defeat by France in Dublin proved costly as with only three bonus points picked up overall, they finished two points behind Les Bleus with England one ahead in second.

With 18 players involved in the Lions' tour to Australia, it was an opportunity for many of those on the fringes to show what they could do as Ireland travelled to Georgia and Portugal in the summer, winning both Tests.

Andy Farrell's side opened their autumn campaign with a loss to the All Blacks in Chicago, but they bounced back with a win over Japan in Dublin last Saturday.

Australia have had a mixed year, to say the least.

The Lions tour was the height of the Wallabies' year, although they lost the series 2-1.

A early win over South Africa in the Rugby Championship was promising, but defeats by Argentina and twice by New Zealand saw them finish in a distant third place.

A narrow win over Japan provided some optimism, but they were convincingly beaten by England, and Italy then stunned the Wallabies on Saturday, which means Australia have lost five of their last six matches.

What are the Ireland and Australia line-ups?

Ireland and Australia will announce their starting XVs and replacements later in the week.

Andy Farrell will name his side on Thursday, and it is likely to be much changed from the win over Japan.

Ireland are set to be without the injured Jamie Osborne, who was forced off with a shoulder injury in Saturday's win over the Brave Blossoms.

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey missed that game with a groin injury after impressing against the All Blacks in Chicago.

Andy Farrell v Joe Schmidt IV

In a somewhat rare feat in international rugby, Ireland head coach Farrell will face off against Australia boss Joe Schmidt for the fourth time this year.

Farrell took charge of the British and Irish Lions for the summer tour of Australia, and it was the tourists who claimed a 2-1 series win.

The Lions won the first two Tests to take an unassailable lead, but the Wallabies had the final say with victory in the final match.

It is a coaching match-up that always brings some intrigue, as Schmidt was Farrell's predecessor with Ireland and both men have brought huge success in their respective times in green.

Get ready for round four of the master against his former apprentice.

Past meetings between Ireland and Australia

After only winning two of 19 matches from 1981 to 2010, Ireland's victory at the 2011 World Cup started a run of seven wins in nine matches

Ireland and Australia have a historic rivalry, but this will only be the third meeting between the sides since Wallabies boss Schmidt led an Irish tour Down Under.

After a run of two Ireland wins in 19 matches between the sides from 1981 to 2010, the Irish have dominated in the past 15 years with seven victories from nine matches against the Wallabies.

That includes three wins in a row for Ireland, while Australia's last success came in the opening Test of that 2018 series.

Their last meeting was in November last year, when Ireland ran out narrow 22-19 winners in Dublin.

Australia almost spoiled Farrell's leaving party before Lions duty and led by four points, but Gus McCarty's try with seven minutes to play rescued the hosts.

Overall, there have been 38 matches between Ireland and Australia since 1927, and the Wallabies hold over edge with 22 wins compared to 15 for the Irish.

Who is the referee?

English referee Karl Dickson will be the man in the middle in Dublin on Saturday.

France's Pierre Brousset, who was in charge for Ireland's defeat in Chicago, and Adam Leal are the assistant referees.

Ian Tempest is the television match official (TMO) and Dan Jones, who reviewed and recommended an upgrade to Tadhg Beirne's controversial red card against New Zealand, is in charge of the foul play review process (FPRO).