5 Talking Points As Ireland Team Named For Argentina Test

Pumas.

Joe Schmidt this afternoon named his Ireland team for this weekend’s Test with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, recalling a number of his first-choice stars, as expected.

The likes of captain Rory Best, World Player of the Year nominee Johnny Sexton, CJ Stander, Peter O’Mahony, Keith Earls and James Ryan have all earned recalls in a very strong looking line-up.

Here are five talking points.

Larmour starts.
With Rob Kearney out the big question was who was going to replace him? Jordan Larmour was sensational against Italy, and ultimately has done enough to wear the fifteen jersey ahead of the likes of Will Addison and Andrew Conway. Argentina will be a much tougher test for the youngster, but we’ve no doubt he’ll excel.

Henderson starts.
We all expected James Ryan to come back into the starting line-up, but his second-row partner was always going to be anybody’s guess. Schmidt says he went with Henderson over Toner based on the former needing more minutes under his belt in order to come into contention for the All Blacks Test. The Ulsterman needs a big game on Saturday, especially considering Tadhg Beirne is also waiting in the wings.

Marmion at nine.
We’re still unsure as to who will start at scrumhalf for the All Blacks game, but Kieran Marmion now has a chance to prove why he’s the man for the job should Conor Murray not recover in time. The Connacht man needs a big game, with Luke McGrath and John Cooney both impressing against Italy in Chicago.

Sean O’Brien is back.
Absolutely huge seeing this man back in a green jersey. A fully fit and in-form Sean O’Brien is up there with the best in the world. He needs a big, big game on Saturday with Dan Leavy on the bench champing at the bit though if he’s to start against the All Blacks.

Aki/Henshaw combo.
The Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki partnership is back in business with Garry Ringrose ruled out through injury. Ringrose however, is expected to be back and ready for the All Blacks game so it’ll be interesting to see how the former Connacht pairing get on. Will they force Schmidt to drop Ringrose against New Zealand?

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