Ireland denied Australia a winning finish to their spring tour in Dublin, but it took every inch of effort to grind down a Wallabies team that defended bravely and very nearly rounded out a resurgent year on the best possible note.

Ireland 22 Australia 19 It was a game that Ireland dared not lose as the Irish Rugby Football Union celebrated its 150th anniversary, but Australia came agonisingly close to spoiling the party. In the end it took a late try by replacement hooker Gus McCarthy from a line-out drive to clinch the victory for Andy Farrell’s side,