Australia still have work to do ahead of next year’s Lions series - The Wallabies were edged out in Dublin following a late try from Gus McCarthy.

On an afternoon teeming with sub-plots, the simple narrative arc at the Aviva Stadium was that a misfiring Ireland ground out a 22-19 win over stubborn Australia in their final Autumn Nations Series Test.

Ireland showed character to deny former coach Joe Schmidt a winning return to Lansdowne Road on Saturday by edging Australia 22-19 in a scrappy encounter. The hosts outscored the Wallabies three tries to one to give head coach Andy Farrell a victorious farewell before he takes charge of the British & Irish Lions next year.

Joe Schmidt uses the word ‘comfortable’ to describe his return to Ireland. The Australia team are based in a well-appointed hotel deep in south Dublin rugby country for the week. Schmidt’s Irish home isn’t far from here, and when time has allowed, he has met up with friends in recent days.

GUS MCCARTHY’S 73RD-MINUTE try proved to be decisive as Ireland finished their Autumn Nations Series with a narrow win against Joe Schmidt’s Australia in the Aviva Stadium. Cian Healy came off the bench in the second half,

Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt is back in Dublin as his Australia side look to spoil Andy Farrell’s farewell before his Lions sojourn.