09:02

There’s something very special about the June Tests, and after international Rugby’s “off-season”, we explode back to life with a fixture many are considering the pick of the weekend as the No2-ranked side, Ireland, fresh off Six Nations victory, takes on No4-Australia on the latter’s home soil.

They say you’re only as good in your last game in sport - good news for Ireland fans then, it’s hard to imagine too many better performances than securing a Grand Slam in front of 80,000 at Twickenham.

Conversely, having 50+ points put on you by Scotland isn’t an auspicious last outing; but a lot has changed since last November. At least, Wallabies fans will be hoping.

Coach Michael Cheika has already lit the “war-of-words” torch with his statements midweek. According to the Australian coach: “This is the best team Ireland have had in their rugby history”; and “They believe they are coming here to win 3-0, no doubt about it from what I’ve read and seen.”

Connoisseurs of pre-match talk might remember how successful Cheika’s ‘mind games’ went against former sparring partner Eddie Jones when England came down under in June 2016 so let’s hope his chargers aren’t relying on that particular “one-per-center” to get them across the line tonight.

We’ll have more pre-game news here shortly, but in the meantime, here’s more from Cheika, as reported by Paul Rees:

