'Don't lose faith': Joe Schmidt's plea to Wallabies fans as changes loom for date with Ireland in Dublin

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is considering recalls for centre Len Ikitau and fly-half James O'Connor for next weekend's clash with Ireland as he called on fans not to "lose faith" in his team after the dismal 26-19 loss against Italy.

The pair could return as injuries to No.10 Carter Gordon and prop Angus Bell forced them to be replaced during the game in Udine as a demanding schedule starts to take a toll.

Ikitau, now with Exeter Chiefs in England, won his first John Eales Medal last month as Australia's best player.

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"Lenny, he's fit and available next week, and he's had a week back with us, so he's a guy who adds leadership as much as anything," Schmidt said.

"He's in our leadership team and has had a super season for us so far. James will probably add a bit of freshness. I haven't spoken to him about coming in but I've stayed in touch with him. He's had a good break over the last week or so. He's been able to freshen up a little bit.

"We'll have a bit of a chat about it because what we'll be looking for first is just to get all the medical information first so that we know who's fit to go and who we might need as cover."

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The loss to the Italians was Australia's second in a row, following a 25-7 defeat to England the previous week, and was the fifth in the last six matches for a Wallabies side building towards Australia hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Schmidt acknowledged that fatigue was a factor within his squad but stressed he remains confident in the ability of his players.

"We're going to have to manage the fuel in the tank. I did think that we just didn't look as sharp as we did earlier in the season, and we've got to get that sharpness, that energy back," Schmidt said.

"I believe in the group we've got. I think there's still a lot of work to do to get them to where they need to be.

"I've had lots of experience coaching a lot of Test matches and have had teams that have been No.1 in the world. I know what it takes to get there, and I know the strength and depth that you need. We're setting about trying to build that.

"All I can say to people is that we believe in what we can deliver. Don't lose faith because we will, guaranteed, keep working as hard as we can to try to demonstrate what it means to us to try to be as competitive as possible."

Wallabies great James Slipper believed Australia's schedule list this year was too long.

"Is 15 (Tests) too many? Probably," he said on Stan Sport.

Ireland, meanwhile, started slowly before pulling away to beat Eddie Jones' Japan 41-10 at the Aviva Stadium with a strong second half easing concerns about their recent form ahead of tougher challenges to come against Australia and South Africa.

Andy Farrell's men were extremely sloppy in the first half and lucky to be 17-10 up at the interval after a yellow card for Japan let them wrestle control through tries from Jack Crowley and Nick Timoney, before Kenta Kobayashi deservedly responded.

Even though the Irish also lost a man to the sin bin for the start of the second half, they were far better with tries from Andrew Porter, replacements Gus McCarthy and Paddy McCarthy and winger Tommy O'Brien overwhelming the tiring Japanese.

"We got a reaction at halftime so that was a bit better," said Farrell, whose side fell away badly in the final 20 minutes in last weekend's 26-13 defeat by New Zealand.

"You can be short of confidence when things aren't flowing your way and I thought we regathered ourselves pretty well in the second half, even though there were still a few errors. To get to 41-10 from where we were at halftime was the pleasing part."

Ireland's first 10 points all came from flyhalf Crowley, a penalty, fine team try and conversion - the latter pair shortly after the yellow card for Japan centre Charlie Lawrence blunted the visitors' encouraging start.

While Ireland welcomed back captain Caelan Doris, it was one of the handful of fringe players given a chance - flanker Timoney - who sped home impressively for his fifth try in as many caps since making his debut in 2021.

But familiar errors returned.

Ireland's lineout, which has now struggled on a consistent basis, was even more of a shambles early on.

Doris blamed the initial struggles on players being unable to hear the calls in the stadium.

The returning captain, who played all 80 minutes, described his side's performance as mixed and was critical of how much ball they gave away.

That looseness helped Japan back in the game before the break but the Brave Blossoms were also impressive in attack in the first half.

Kobayashi's try resulted from Jones' side showing their opponents how to organise a lineout platform.

It looked like they had a real opportunity to push on after a yellow card for Jacob Stockdale just before the break but a different Ireland emerged after halftime, with Porter's try putting the hosts' firmly back in control.

A strong Irish pack mixed with youth and experience made a big impact.

Gus McCarthy, whose lineout throwing was perfect, struck from one of his set-pieces before his namesake, Paddy, marked his second cap with a first international try.

Player of the match O'Brien showed off the pace that could make him a real weapon for a side that has long lacked speed, when he added try number six five minutes from time. - with Wide World of Sports