'He's a big loss' - Paul O'Connell comments on Jamie Osborne absence as quartet ruled out for Australia clash

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Jacob Stockdale, Jamie Osborne, Ryan Baird and Tadhg Furlong have all been ruled out of Ireland's final 2024 Autumn Nations Series match against Australia. Ireland will be hoping to end their Autumn on a high when they face the Wallabies on Saturday. They fell to defeat against New Zealand in their opening match but have since bounced back with victories over Fiji and Argentina.

Highlights: Eight-try Ireland hit top gear to rout Fiji in Dublin

Video credit: TNT Sports

Paul O'Connell has confirmed that Jacob Stockdale and Jamie Osborne will miss Ireland's final match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series against Australia due to injury.

The pair both came off in Ireland's 52-17 triumph over Fiji last Saturday, with Stockdale suffering from a hamstring issue and Osborne injuring his abductor.

Ireland will also be without lock Ryan Baird and prop Tadhg Furlong.

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Baird injured his head in Ireland's 22-19 win against Argentina, while Furlong missed the Autumn Nations Series with a hamstring problem.

Ireland forwards coach O'Connell said Osborne will be a "big loss" against Fiji.

"He's very versatile on the bench obviously, he covers so many different positions and is growing and getting better all the time," O'Connell added.

Highlights: Scotland ease past Australia to wrap up 2024 with successive wins

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It's a shame he's out. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and he's back to us soon."

Ireland are hoping to end their Autumn Nations Series on a high after bouncing back from a 23-13 defeat against the All Blacks with victories over Argentina and Fiji.

O'Connell believes his side need to do the simple things well if they are to continue challenging the best teams in the world.

"You know I think the ceiling is very high," he said.

"We always look back on campaigns and we realise how much better we can get.

"It does not have to be overly complicated for us to get better. I think we started slowly in that New Zealand game which is frustrating.

"We probably could have set the players up a bit better for success, but we started slow and then we were playing catch up I think.

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"The weekend was very good, the learning thing for us is it does not need to be complicated.

"We need to do the simple things really well and when we do the simple things well we are a very good side."

Australia's winning run came to an end with defeat to Scotland on Sunday, following impressive victories over England and Wales.

Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?

TNT Sports is broadcasting every game of this year's Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and kick-off times (UK time).

WEEK 5

November 30

Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off 15:10

Stream the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

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