Best and Stringer to face Wallabies

Michael Bradley has moved to correct the faltering set-piece that hampered Ireland's efforts in the defeat to New Zealand in …

Michael Bradley has moved to correct the faltering set-piece that hampered Ireland's efforts in the defeat to New Zealand in Wellington last week by calling on hooker Rory Best and scrumhalf Peter Stringer ahead of the one-off Test against Australia on Saturday.

The usually reliable lineout was a major factor in Ireland losing possession to the All Blacks at the Westpac Stadium and Jerry Flannery has paid the price, though the Munster hooker was operating in near impossible conditions.

Ulster's Best, who replaced Flannery in Wellington, will win his 24th cap at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne.

Stringer brought much quicker distribution to the backline when he replaced Eoin Reddan late in Saturday's game. It will be the Munster scrumhalf's 84th appearance for his country and his first start since the forgettable World Cup game against Georgia last September.

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With Luke Fitzgerald ruled out for the rest of the tour Paddy Wallace remains at inside centre after his try against the All Blacks, while Rob Kearney, who was hugely impressive under pressure, remains at fullback.

Prop John Hayes and lock Donncha O'Callaghan did not train with the rest of the squad earlier today but will start nonetheless.

Bradley said the promotion of Stringer and Best was warranted and feels he has selected the best side possible to defeat the Wallabies.

"We went through every position and weighed up the pros and cons of the lads who are in the starting team and those that haven't participated in a game," Bradley said.

"Rory deserves a chance at the Test starting spot and Peter showed what he can do in the period of time against New Zealand."

Saturday's match will be the first game in charge for new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and Bradley is expecting Australia to be an extremely difficult opposition.

"A new coach brings a fresh look so you would think there would be a new look to the Australian side," Bradley said. "I am extremely wary of Australia when they get into their stride, so it's going to be a very difficult challenge for us this weekend."

With the Telstra Dome roof set to be closed for Saturday's match, Bradley is predicting a free-flowing game with plenty of tries.

And despite the fact that his players are coming to the end of their season, Bradley is not expecting fatigue to be a factor in the final stages of the match.

"Bearing in mind that it is the end of the season, we have curtailed the training for the last couple of weeks," Bradley said. "But we are quite confident that fatigue won't play a part in the match on Saturday.

"Training sessions have been reasonably short and we have been checking for response from the lads on a daily basis as to how they are feeling. They are feeling as fresh as we think we can have them at this part of the season."

Ireland: Robert Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Paddy Wallace, Tommy Bowe; Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer; Marcus Horan, Rory Best, John Hayes; Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell; Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Geordan Murphy, Girvan Dempsey

Not considered due to injury: Alan Quinlan (Thigh), Luke Fitzgerald (Ankle)