Australia captain Stirling Mortlock will start in the unfamiliar role of inside centre alongside Lote Tuqiri as Wallabies coach John Connolly attempts to counter the threat of the Irish midfield for Sunday's clash at Lansdowne Road.
With the Irish partnership of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy in a rich vein of form, Connolly has re-jigged his back division once again following last weekend's disappointing 25-18 victory over Italy.
Stephen Larkham returns to fly-half after starting Australia's last two games at inside centre. Mortlock shifts inside to take the 12 jersey and will form a powerful midfield partnership with Tuqiri, who has come in off the wing.
Mark Gerrard fills that spot after an impressive midweek performance in Australia's victory over Ireland A in Limerick last night.
The only change Connolly has made in the pack sees Phil Waugh return at open-side flanker with George Smith dropping to the bench.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan is eager to see O'Driscoll locking horns with Mortlock. O'Sullivan is a big fan of the powerful 29-year-old Brumbies centre and is expecting fireworks during his midfield battle with Ireland captain O'Driscoll.
"Stirling Mortlock is a big player for Australia when he's in the middle of the park. A lot of good things happen around him," O'Sullivan said. "He's a very good footballer and a strong man. I've always admired him.
"When he went into the outside centre slot during the 2003 World Cup it was the turning point for Australia, who went on to reach the final. On the other hand O'Driscoll is a key man for us and it will be a very interesting head to head when they line up against each other."
Australia(v Ireland): C Latham (Queensland Reds), C Rathbone (ACT Brumbies), L Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs), S Mortlock (ACT Brumbies, captain), M Gerrard (ACT Brumbies); S Larkham (ACT Brumbies), M Giteau (Western Force); A Baxter (NSW Waratahs), B Cannon (Western Force), G Shepherdson (ACT Brumbies), N Sharpe (Western Force), M Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), R Elsom (NSW Waratahs), P Waugh (NSW Waratahs), W Palu (NSW Waratahs).
Replacements: T McIsaac (Western Force), B Robinson (NSW Waratahs), A Campbell (ACT Brumbies), G Smith (ACT Brumbies), J Valentine (NSW Waratahs), M Rogers (NSW Waratahs), S Staniforth (Western Force).
