Wallabies Coach Joe Schmidt Faces Former Team Ireland in Dublin Test

Schmidt’s return to Ireland brings emotional reunions, strategic challenges, and a final opportunity to assess his Wallabies squad ahead of the 2025 Lions series.

Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies’ head coach and former Ireland coach, is set to face his old team in a highly anticipated Test match in Dublin, marking his return to a country where he left a lasting legacy on rugby.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell, Schmidt’s former assistant, will lead his team for the last time before focusing on his role as head coach of the British and Irish Lions for the 2025 series in Australia.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has recovered from an arm injury and will start at outside centre for the Wallabies, while Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed is set to debut, becoming the team’s 19th debutant of the year.
Ireland has retained promising 21-year-old fly-half Sam Prendergast, who impressed in recent matches, while veteran Cian Healy is poised to become Ireland’s most-capped player if he comes off the bench.
Both teams view the match as an opportunity to end their seasons on a high note, with Schmidt using the game to build depth and cohesion in preparation for next year’s British and Irish Lions series.