A close-fought battle is expected between Australia and Ireland in their opening clash of this year's Nations Championship.
Ireland have lost out to France in the Six Nations in the last two years, while they have also failed to overcome the top two teams in the world, South Africa and New Zealand.
However, they have established themselves as a clear best of the rest and stand third in the World Rugby rankings.
Australia have been going through some turmoil and are switching coach in just a few weeks as Les Kiss comes in to replace Joe Schmidt.
They have plenty of building work to do for next year's Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Australia v Ireland Tips Summary
Best Bet - Ireland to win by seven points or more @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Dan Sheehan first tryscorer @ 11/1
Bet Builder - Ireland to win, Dan Sheehan to score a try & Australia to score under 31.5 points @ 16/5
Australia v Ireland Prediction
Best Bet: Ireland to win by seven points or more @ 13/8
Last November Ireland sealed their fifth successive Test victory over Australia, winning by a record score of 46-19 in Dublin.
The Wallabies went on to lose 48-33 in France the following week to end a miserable year on a run of eight defeats in 10 matches.
So how come the teams are virtually neck and neck in the betting for Saturday's Nations Championship showdown in Sydney?
Well, as ever in summer Tests the visitors are coming to the end of a long season, which in the case of Leinster - who provide the bulk of the Ireland squad - climaxed with two finals.
Ireland have also been hit by injuries to key players, including captain Caelan Doris, powerhouse prop Andrew Porter and fly-half Jack Crowley.
However, head coach Andy Farrell has still been able to select a strong side including five forwards who started in the Lions Test series against the Wallabies last year, and they will be key in getting Ireland on the front foot.
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park and full-back Hugo Keenan also lined up in that series and Farrell has experienced back-ups in most positions.
Australia have had to ring changes too and Ryan Lonergan makes his first start at scrum-half, while outside him Carter Gordon returns at fly-half having not featured since the defeat to Italy in the autumn.
Ireland look to have a clear edge up front and dangerous attacking players - they can catch Australia cold.
Alternative Bet: Dan Sheehan to score first try @ 11-1
Australia know all about Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan after he scored the first try for the Lions on Australian soil last summer, crossing in the first minute against the Western Force, while he also bagged tries in the first two Tests.
He is a major threat in attacking line-out moves but also has the pace to pop up out wide and finish moves and is a nice price to get the scoring action started.
Australia v Ireland Bet Builder Tip
Ireland to win
Dan Sheehan to score a try
Australia to score under 31.5 points
Pays 16/5
This is Australia's first outing of the year and Ireland can take advantage of any lack of cohesion or fluency in the side.
Ireland hooker Sheehan has a phenomenal record of 18 tries in 39 Tests and scored twice in this year's Six Nations.
Australia's attack may lack fluidity in this first outing of 2026 and they scored more than 30 points in only two of 15 matches last year.
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Key Match Stats
Australia have won just two of their last 10 Test matches - against Japan and Argentina
Seven of the last eight meetings between these two teams have been decided by a single-figure margin
Hooker Dan Sheehan has scored 18 tries in 39 matches for Ireland including in three of his last six matches
Ireland have beaten South Africa, New Zealand, France and England all away from home in the last two years
Ireland beat the Wallabies the last time the teams met on Australian soil in 2018
Starting fly-half Carter Gordon is one of five players to wear the number ten shirt for Australia last year
Ireland's starting 15 includes 12 Leinster players
Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
