Wallabies reload for Ireland after pipping France

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

DUBLIN (AP) The Wallabies have reloaded with Israel Folau, Sekope Kepu, Rory Arnold, Reece Hodge, and Dane Haylett-Petty against Ireland to try and keep their Grand Slam bid alive.

All five were rested from playing France last weekend, when an experimental Australia side eked out a 25-23 win in Paris.

There were only two changes on Thursday to the XV which beat Scotland 23-22 a fortnight ago, both in the forwards.

Dean Mumm's lineout savvy gave him the edge over ball-carrying No. 8 Lopeti Timani for Saturday's match at Lansdowne Road, and lock Rob Simmons replaced Adam Coleman, who was injured against Scotland.

Mumm was on the blindside flank, leaving David Pocock to fill in again at No. 8. Mumm was suspended for the tour-opening win against Wales, and was a replacement against Scotland. Timani had done nothing wrong, coach Michael Cheika said.

''We want to focus a little bit more on our lineout this week, and the threat that Ireland might pose there - they're very good in that area,'' Cheika said. ''Dean brings a lot of experience and quality in that area. But then we'll probably lose a bit of Lopeti's ball-carrying, too.''

Australia lost to Ireland 26-23 in 2014 on its last visit to Lansdowne Road.

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Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Reece Hodge, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Dean Mumm, Rob Simmons, Rory Arnold, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (captain), Scott Sio. Reserves: Tolu Latu, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Kane Douglas, Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Quade Cooper, Sefenaia Naivalu (one to be omitted).