Henshaw moves to outside centre for massive australian test

ROBBIE Henshaw will play at outside centre when Ireland take on the mighty Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday as the Guinness Series comes to its end (4.30pm).

The Coosan native put in a hugely impressive performance having started in the recent victory against South Africa in Dublin - and with Jared Payne injured, Henshaw shuffles to the outside-centre role. He will be partnered as inside-centre by the vastly experienced Gordon D’Arcy, who missed the South Africa match through injury.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made three changes to the team from the South Africa match, with Rory Best winning his 78th cap when he lines out against the Wallabies. The returning hooker is joined in the front row by Mike Ross and Jack McGrath.

Rhys Ruddock, a try scorer against the Springboks, is named to start at openside flanker in a back row that contains Jamie Heaslip and Peter O’Mahony. Paul O’Connell captains the side for what will be his 96th appearance for Ireland. He is partnered in the engine room by Devin Toner.

The half-back combination of Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton is retained from the South Africa game as is the back-three of Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo.

Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne and Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers) provide front row cover on the bench, while Dave Foley is rewarded for his man-of-the-match performance against Georgia with a spot among the replacements. Tommy O’Donnell is selected to cover the back-row and Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan and Felix Jones are the reserve backs.

Ireland team v Australia

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
12. Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1. Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
5. Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
7. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
18. Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers/Connacht)
19. Dave Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster)
20. Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
23. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster).