D’Arcy and Best get nod to face Wallabies

Veterans Gordon D’Arcy and Rory Best are the only two changes in the starting line-up for Six Nations champions Ireland for the one-off rugby union test with Australia at Lansdowne Road on Saturday from the one that beat South Africa a fortnight ago.

D’Arcy, who will win his 81st cap, comes in at centre for the injured Jared Payne with Best, who will make his 78th appearance for Ireland, returning to the side after recovering from injury – Sean Cronin drops to the bench.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt – who has engineered a turnaround in Irish fortunes since replacing Declan Kidney after the 2013 Six Nations – opted for the hugely experienced 34-year-old D’Arcy ahead of Stuart Olding despite the latter shining when he came on in the 49-7 victory over Georgia last Sunday.

Paul O’Connell captains the side and will win his 96th cap.

The only other change comes on the bench where Dave Foley, man of the match against Georgia, replaces Mike McCarthy, who has concussion, while Cronin’s demotion has forced South Africa-born hooker Richardt Strauss out of the matchday squad.

Ireland, who have risen to third in the IRB rankings for the first time in eight years, are bidding to claim the scalps of both the Wallabies and the Springboks in the same year for the first time since 2006.

Team (15-1)

Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Robbie Henshaw, Gordon D’Arcy, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Peter O’Mahony; Paul O’Connell (capt), Devin Toner; Mike Ross, Rory Best, Jack McGrath. Res: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Rodney Ah You, Dave Foley, Tommy O’Donnell, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Felix Jones.

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