Ross Byrne landed a dramatic late penalty as Ireland overcame the loss of captain Johnny Sexton to cap a stellar year with a disjointed 13-10 win over Australia.

Replacement fly-half Byrne nailed a difficult kick from wide on the right with just three minutes remaining in Dublin to earn Ireland a record-equalling 12th successive home victory.

Andy Farrell’s men struggled for large parts of a disappointing contest and could easily have ended 2022 with a serious reality check against opponents beaten by Italy just last weekend.

Ireland centre Bundee Aki marked his return from an eight-game ban with the opening try but the game remained in the balance in the closing stages after Jordan Petaia crossed for the Wallabies.

A difficult evening for the Irish began with talisman Sexton withdrawing through injury, with his deputy Jack Crowley booting five points on his maiden Test start before Byrne, who was elevated to the bench at the 11th hour, proving to be the match-winner.

Here’s the moment Ross Byrne held his nerve to nail this difficult penalty from out wide and ultimately hand Ireland the win

After 66 minutes with just a penalty apiece to show for their efforts, Ireland finally got over the try-line as Bundee Aki crashed his way across

It wasn’t necessarily pretty but Ireland cling on for a dramatic win. An arm wrestle of a Test match that the hosts edge with Bundee Aki’s try and Ross Byrne’s nerveless late kick. Phew!

A couple of phases but the ball is spilled, Ireland collect and Casey boots it into the stands! Ireland win

Oh no - Ireland have lost it! One last chance for Australia!

Byrne finds a safe touch. One successful lineout and they can kick the ball dead for the win. The clock about to go red.

Aussies going for the win, not the draw. Lineout secured but maul is stopped. And IRELAND WIN THE PENALTY! Held up and that might be enough for Ireland.

Australia get the ball back, good break from Wright, Foley makes more ground and his offload helps the Wallabies gets up to the edge of the 22.

PENALTY COMING for the Aussies. They go for the crossfield kick - taken by Nawaqanitawase - but nothing doing, so back for the penalty. Ireland not rolling away. Foley to go for the posts - similar position to his last kick, the conversion. But THEY GO FOR THE CORNER!

WHAT A KICK! Superb stuff from Ross Byrne. A pressure kick, he’s only just on the field, wasn’t even in the 23 at the start of the day until Sexton’s injury, got the hurry-up from the referee and still nails it.

Enough to win it for Ireland?