Scrappy Ireland give Farrell winning sending-off

Ireland showed character to deny former coach Joe Schmidt a winning return to Lansdowne Road on Saturday by edging Australia 22-19 in a scrappy encounter in their one-off rugby Test.

The hosts outscored the Wallabies three tries to one to give head coach Andy Farrell a victorious farewell before he takes charge of the British & Irish Lions next year.

It also crowned a memorable day for Cian Healy, who became Ireland's most capped player with 134 when he came on as a replacement in what was also a match commemorating Irish Rugby's 150th anniversary.

The Wallabies took the lead when Joe McCarthy was penalised - but spared a sin-binning - and Noah Lolesio slotted over the penalty.

The Irish were making elementary handling errors, Australia-born prop Finlay Bealham guilty of two sloppy knock ons.

A scrappy opening 20 minutes was brightened somewhat by a superb Australian try.

Sam Prendergast produced a brilliant try-saving tackle on Andrew Kellaway but the Wallabies kept possession and spread it out to the other wing where Max Jorgensen was free to touch down.

Lolesio converted brilliantly from the touchline for 10-0.

Finishing the year with a W! ??#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/SJyaAvl3Md

The score appeared to wake the hosts up and they got back into it as Josh van der Flier crashed over for his 13th Test try in the 23rd minute.

Prendergast's conversion attempt was a wild one leaving the Wallabies 10-5 up.

The Irish enjoyed their best spell of the match since the opening minutes but a loose pass into touch by James Lowe and then an Aussie turnover by Tom Wright prevented them adding to their tally.

Handling errors

The handling errors were mounting for the Irish, Lowe's knock on their eighth in the first half hour.

This allowed the Wallabies