Ireland's Nations Championship scheduleSaturday 4 July: Australia vs Ireland (10.45am BST, Sydney)Saturday 11 July: Japan vs Ireland (11.10am BST, Newcastle, Australia)Saturday 18 July: New Zealand vs Ireland (8.10am BST, Auckland)Harry Latham-Coyle4 July 2026 09:00Dan Sheehan ready after answering captaincy callDan Sheehan admitted getting the call to captain Ireland in their upcoming Nations Championship series “didn’t faze” him.The 27-year-old hooker will skipper the team on their three-match tour – which starts against Australia today – after Caelan Doris was ruled out with a foot injury.Sheehan revealed the call came during celebrations in the days after Leinster’s 36-7 United Rugby Championship final triumph over Pretoria Bulls last month.He told reporters: “It hasn’t been too daunting. I remember getting the call on day two of celebrations of the URC and it didn’t faze me at all. I was sort of more just disappointed for Caelan at the time.“We have a great group of leaders already in this squad so I think it’s just a good chance for me to develop my own personal skills but also get a grip of the squad in a full month on tour, which has been nice.“I think the prep has been good, I’ve enjoyed the build-up to it, I think everyone’s raring to go. Nice Saturday evening kick-off, hopefully a lot of Irish in town. A lot to be excited for.”Dan Sheehan (centre) will captain Ireland this summer (Brian Lawless/PA Wire)Harry Latham-Coyle4 July 2026 08:50Sam Prendergast gets fly half nod in Ireland team for Nations Championship clash with AustraliaBut with the Munster fly half absent for the start of the inaugural Nations Championship, Prendergast has been recalled to partner Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson-Park in the halves.Harry Latham-Coyle4 July 2026 08:40Australia vs IrelandFamiliar foes will clash again as Australia and Ireland meet in Sydney. For Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt, this game against his former assistant Andy Farrell marks the start of a farewell tour before he hands over the reins to Les Kiss ahead of a home World Cup – can the hosts secure a significant success to kickstart the road to 2027?Kick off is at 11.10am BST.Australia boss Joe Schmidt (PA Wire)Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2026 15:21