Andy Farrell looking forward to Joe Schmidt's Aviva return

Andy Farrell says he will have to make some tough selection calls for this weekend's final game of the Autumn Nations Series against Australia.

Ireland host the Wallabies on Saturday, looking to cap their November block off with a third win from four games.

Farrell rejigged his squad for Saturday’s 52-17 win against Fiji, and several of those changes worked out. Gus McCarthy had a debut to remember, Craig Casey and Sam Prendergast looked excellent together as a half-back combination, while Bundee Aki was a destructive force on both sides of the ball.

Unfortunately, it looks unlikely that neither Jamie Osborne or Jacob Stockdale will feature against the Wallabies.

Osborne, who had started well at full-back, departed during the first half with a groin injury, while Stockdale had been enjoying an excellent game before he pulled up with a hamstring injury midway through the second half, and Farrell didn’t appear optimistic about either player’s chances of being available this week.

As far as those who are available are concerned, Farrell says he will keep an open mind when it comes to selection.

"It’s good. It’s exactly what we want," Farrell said about the competition for places.

"We’ve got a big game coming up, it’s what you’d hope for. If it was easy with a big game coming up, then it would probably mean your squad’s not in good health.

"We’ll do what’s right for the team. That’s what we have to do.

"So we’ve a few selection headaches, that’s for sure."

After a good start to their Autumn Nations Series, Saturday’s opponents Australia were brought back down to earth on Sunday, beaten 27-13 by Scotland at Murrayfield.

The Wallabies have won six and lost six of their 12 games under former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt in 2024, but there