Irish big guns set to return

RUGBY UNION: Ireland is tipped to make up to eight changes for Saturday’s second Test in Melbourne but Wallaby five-eighth Bernard Foley says just one will make all the difference.

The inclusion of senior playmaker Johnny Sexton, a shock omission from Ireland’s starting line-up in the opening match, will make the visitors a far more formidable foe, according to Foley, Australia’s own No.10.

“He’s a world-class player and he’s probably been the rock of their side for a number of years,” Foley said.

“He’s been the man who has led them to so much success over the last 15 to 18 months.”

Rookie Joey Carbery got the nod to start ahead of Sexton, with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt understandably wanting to get some game time into his backup players ahead of next year’s World Cup.

But with Ireland needing a win at AAMI Park to square the series after the 18-9 loss in Brisbane, the time for experimentation is over.

“We saw how threatening Sexton was when he came on. He made a big impact taking the ball to the line a bit more and backing his running,” Foley said. “He found a few holes through the middle of our game.”

Despite the return of the Irish ace, the Wallabies still feel they have the right game plan to earn successive wins.

Foley said they would persist with their aerial game, utilising the silky skills of fullback Israel Folau, but also bring other facets to the attack.

“Having Israel, who is probably the best in the air in the world, it would be silly for us not to use him,” Foley said.

“But we’ve got to combine that with a good balance across our attack so we’ve got a kicking threat, a running threat at all times just to keep the defences guessing.”

Ireland is also likely to include centre Garry Ringrose, openside flanker Dan Leavy and props Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy. Those five all started in Ireland’s grand slamwinning final game against England in last year’s Six Nations tournament. — AAP