Australia and Ireland both chasing the same thing in Dublin showdown

Farrell then added new faces to take on Japan in Dublin, including 32-year-old centre Tom Farrell, and they won by 31 points after a poor first half, despite their attack not clicking. Ultimately, nobody put their hand up to dislodge the tried and trusted players who have taken Ireland to unprecedented success.

Farrell is at a critical juncture ahead of the 2027 World Cup: he needs to decide very soon whether to stick with loyal servants who will be in their mid-thirties by the time the tournament starts in Australia – such as breakaway Josh Van der Flier, utility forward Tadhg Beirne, prop Tadhg Furlong, halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and winger James Lowe – or make changes. Centre Bundee Aki played in all three Tests for the Lions against the Wallabies, but will be 37 by the World Cup.

Against the Wallabies, Ireland’s line-up, to be named on Thursday, will be a reflection of where Farrell sees his team ahead of the World Cup. Ireland are also without two options at fullback with Lions Jamie Osborne and Keenan injured, opening the door potentially for Canberra-raised Mack Hansen to fill in.

Building depth in Test rugby is a tricky task: a player cannot learn unless given the chance, but while serving an apprenticeship, there will be errors that can cost a team dearly.Given Ireland’s traditional success in the Six Nations has never been carried into a World Cup – they’ve failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals – Farrell knows he will need to make plans for the tournament in Australia very soon.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has taken a different tack from Farrell in selection, largely through necessity. He has had to explore new options and combinations. Injuries to Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Tom Wright and Langi Gleeson, and the unavailability of Len Ikitau, Will Skelton and Tom Hooper for the England game due to club commitments have proved costly.

In their place, players such as Nick Champion de Crespigny, Ryan Lonergan, Corey Toole, Tane Edmed and Gordon have all got their opportunities. Young Reds halfback Kalani Thomas has also been able to learn in camp under veteran Jake Gordon.

Schmidt has spoken consistently about the Wallabies’ need for depth ahead of the World Cup. The New Zealander is preparing to hand over the team to Les Kiss for a tournament on which he will not be judged. There is also the need for the Wallabies to perform in Tests before the World Cup. Conceding 13 penalties in each of the games against England and Italy is almost unheard of in Schmidt-led teams.

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Farrell and Schmidt faced off in the Lions series, and four months later, they meet again under different circumstances in Dublin. Both men have to balance the need to win Test matches to provide vital momentum for their countries, while building a wide range of experience in a squad that can win the World Cup in two short years.

The Wallabies await a grinding week under the grey skies of Dublin, preparing to face an Ireland team desperate to prove they still belong at the top of world rugby.