KEY POINTS:
Stephen Larkham has been returned to his preferred position at first five-eighth for Sunday's rugby test against Ireland in Dublin after Australia's selectors dropped Mat Rogers to the bench.
Larkham had played second five-eighth, with Rogers at first-five in the Wallabies' previous two tests in Europe as part of an experiment looking ahead to next year's World Cup in France.
But coach John Connolly, under criticism as his team struggles to find their form, has given the No 10 shirt back to Larkham and relegated Rogers to the reserves in a reshuffled backline.
Mark Gerrard was recalled to the starting side on the wing after playing first-five in Australia A's win over Ireland A in Limerick on Wednesday, allowing Lote Tuqiri to partner captain Stirling Mortlock in the centres.
The only change to the pack that started in last weekend's 25-18 win over Italy in Rome is the recall of Phil Waugh at openside flanker for George Smith.
Australia:
15-Chris Latham; 14-Clyde Rathbone, 13-Lote Tuqiri, 12-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 11-Mark Gerrard; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-Matt Giteau; 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-Phil Waugh, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-Mark Chisholm; 3-Guy Shepherdson, 2-Brendan Cannon, 1-Al Baxter.
Replacements:
16-Tai McIsaac, 17-Benn Robinson, 18-Al Campbell, 19-George Smith, 20-Josh Valentine, 21-Mat Rogers, 22-Scott Staniforth.
- REUTERS
