Ireland make five changes for series-deciding third Test against Australia

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s series-deciding third Test against Australia in Sydney.

Schmidt has shaken up his front row with Leinster's Sean Cronin coming into the starting side at hooker with Niall Scannell dropping to the bench, while Jack McGrath will start at loosehead prop.

Live International Rugby Union

Cian Healy, who started last week's 26-21 victory, is the replacement loosehead prop.

Captain Peter O'Mahony moves from blindside to openside flanker, allowing Schmidt to bring in Leinster No 8 Jack Conan and switch CJ Stander to the blindside of the scrum.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Winger Jacob Stockdale, who started the first Test, has also returned to the side with Keith Earls shifting to the right wing to accommodate the 22-year-old from Ulster.

Andrew Conway has dropped out of the 23-man matchday squad altogether.

Bundee Aki returns at inside centre with Robbie Henshaw shifting out to centre and Garry Ringrose dropping out of the squad.

Leinster fly-half Joey Carbery, who started the first Test in Brisbane but was replaced by Johnny Sexton for the second, has also dropped out of the matchday squad with Ross Byrne deputising off the bench for Sexton.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Devin Toner, 5 James Ryan, 6 CJ Stander, 7 Peter O'Mahony (c), 8 Jack Conan

Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Cian Healy, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordan Larmour