Ireland retains Prendergast at No. 10 and gives Healy record cap against Wallabies

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland showed faith in Sam Prendergast by handing the 21-year-old flyhalf a second straight start for the rugby match against Australia on Saturday, when Cian Healy will make a national record 134th appearance.

Prendergast made his Ireland debut off the bench against Argentina two weeks ago, and his first start for his country against Fiji last weekend. He kept his place at No. 10 against most expectations, ahead of Jack Crowley, who started against New Zealand and Argentina.

Healy will break a tie on 133 caps with Brian O’Driscoll should he come off the bench in Dublin. The 37-year-old prop made his debut against the Wallabies in 2009.

“Cian is a giant of Irish rugby,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said, “and we are determined to provide him with a performance that he deserves.”

Australia opened its year-closing tour of the home unions by beating England and Wales, before losing to Scotland to end its bid for a first Grand Slam since 1984.

Tane Edmed, a 24-year-old flyhalf, will be the 19th Australian debutant this year if he comes off the bench, while Harry Potter — a try scorer on debut against Scotland — drops to the reserves as Max Jorgensen returns.

___

Lineups:

Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (captain), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter. Reserves: Gus McCarthy, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose.

Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, ⁠Allan Alaalatoa, ⁠Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, ⁠Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Harry Potter.