AUSTRALIA head coach Joe Schmidt admits building squad depth for next summer’s British and Irish Lions series remains his primary objective ahead of an emotional reunion with Ireland and Andy Farrell.
Schmidt, who coached the current Six Nations champions between 2013 and 2019, was appointed by the Wallabies in January following a dismal 2023 World Cup overseen by his predecessor Eddie Jones.
Australia endured a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign this year during an ongoing transitional phase but showed signs of promise in autumn victories over England and Wales, prior to last week’s loss to Scotland.
Schmidt, who has made six changes to his team for his return to Dublin, is preparing for the first of four meetings with former assistant Farrell, who will lead the Lions on their 2025 tour.
“What you will have seen if you look right through the last four games, we have been looking at different combinations and we’ve shifted things by four or five players every week,” said the New Zealander.
“We’ve got the eye on the immediate prize and we want to be as competitive as we can be but at the same time we know we’ve got to build some depth in preparation for the British and Irish Lions next year.
“That was always the brief for me coming into the job because that’s a massive series for the Wallabies and for the Australian public.”
Schmidt guided Ireland to three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018, and also masterminded a historic first win over the All Blacks before being succeeded by Farrell.
The 59-year-old, who previously coached Leinster and still has a home in Dublin, expects to experience mixed feelings at the Aviva Stadium.
“It’s been great to be back,” he said. “I feel comfortable here, 10 years is obviously a long time.
“I try to be pretty transactional, pretty pragmatic on game day but there will be some emotion in it for me for sure.
“There will be apprehension because I have that every week.
“Faz (Farrell) has done a great job so it will be interesting to see how that manifests itself on Saturday.”
