Wallabies Test.

Joe Schmidt named his Ireland team early this morning for Saturday’s opening Test with Australia in Brisbane and it’s safe to say – it’s not what we were expecting.

Off the back of their PRO14 and European Cup success, a number of Leinster’s leading men have been rested, with the likes of Johnny Sexton, Sean Cronin, Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy having to make do with a spot on the bench.

Joey Carbery has been handed a rare start at ten alongside his new Munster teammate Conor Murray in what should be an exciting halfback combination.

Here are five talking points.

No Tadhg Beirne.
Bit of a surprise here. Quinn Roux will offer second-row cover off the bench, with no room for Tadhg Beirne. Although to be fair – he’s had a gruelling season, playing more minutes than anyone in the squad. He’s also new to the set-up so perhaps needs more time. Expect to see him involved in the second Test.

Carbery starts.
Huge vote of confidence from Schmidt to hand Carbery such a high-profile start. It’s probably the biggest game of his career, personally. Let’s hope he can pass the test.

Peter O’Mahony named as captain.
Long heralded as a future Ireland captain, Peter O’Mahony will skipper the men in green against the Wallabies in Rory Best’s absence. Huge game for him, but there’s absolutely no doubt he’ll do a hell of a job.

Aki & Henshaw partner up but no Garry Ringrose.
Perhaps this is another case of resting Leinster’s leading men, but Ringrose hasn’t played a lot of rugby in the last few months. Is it a sign of things to come that Aki will continue to get the nod at 12 with Henshaw outside him?

Marmion over Cooney.
The Connacht man once again manages to hold onto his spot on the bench despite Cooney’s incredible form. This will be an interesting battle throughout the series – Cooney will get his chance. It’s up to him to take it.