The 24-year-old claimed the opening try in Saturday’s tense 20-13 success over Italy to help Andy Farrell’s team bounce back from a heavy round-one defeat away to reigning champions France.

Fly-half Prendergast endured a difficult outing against the Azzurri in Dublin, including missing two straightforward conversions.

The hosts had to recover from a 10-5 half-time deficit before withstanding a late Azzurri rally.

The head coach accused his players of lacking intent during a one-sided championship opener in Paris, which further fuelled talk of Ireland being a team in decline.

Both players have been rewarded for their form with Ulster, as Ireland look to get back on track in the Six Nations following their opening round defeat to France.

Jeremy Loughman and Jacob Stockdale also get the nod as Les Bleus welcome Ireland to the Stade de France on Thursday.

Elsewhere in the squad, the uncapped Edwin Edogbo and Nathan Doak have been included.

Captain Caelan Doris will lead the side from the back row as Andy Farrell’s side welcome the Springboks to the Aviva Stadium.

Beirne was initially shown yellow for his clash with All Blacks out-half Beauden Barrett by referee Pierre Brousset, but the offence was then upgraded to a 20-minute red card after a bunker review. 

Ireland will attempt to bounce back on Saturday when Japan visit the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Joe Schmidt has made four changes to the Wallabies starting side

The Lions won is Brisbane.

The 33-year-old only arrived in Australia last Friday.

The tourists lost the Scotland star to injury in the win over ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

The tourists have two more matches to impress ahead of the series opener on July 19th.

The swaggering Northampton back row is the squad’s youngest player.

Leinster hooker Sheehan will lead a Lions starting 15 packed with eight with Ireland internationals, including Tadhg Furlong. 

Scotland centre Huw Jones has recovered from an Achilles issue.

News of the appointments had been leaked to the media earlier in the week

The Englishman will lead next year’s Lions tour Down Under.

It is the first of four games this November, which will also see Ireland take on Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium for the first time since the Rugby World Cup.

The 25-year-old made his international debut in the first match of the Andy Farrell era.

Ireland’s bonus-point success was their largest winning margin away to France.

Centre Garry Ringrose misses out due to a shoulder issue.

The Ireland coach will lead the Lions down under in 2025.

The world’s top-ranked nation are seeking to reach the last four of the tournament for the first time.

Andy Farrell’s men have topped the Test world rankings since upsetting New Zealand last summer.

Peter O’Mahony will become only the 10th Irishman to earn 100 caps on Saturday.

The 35-year-old suffered a calf problem on August 26 in his country’s final warm-up match.