Picking the Ireland team to take on Argentina on Friday night
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Friday Night Lights.
Ireland return to action against Argentina at Aviva Stadium on Friday night, with several intriguing selection calls facing Andy Farrell.
Injuries have opened the door at number eight; there is a decision to make over the midfield partnership, and Sam Prendergast’s fitness remains a significant factor at out-half.
With Caelan Doris and Jack Conan unavailable, Dan Sheehan captains the squad as Ireland resume their Nations Championship campaign with an 8.10pm kick-off in Dublin.
Here is the Ireland team we would pick to take on the Pumas.
Hugo Keenan gets the nod at fullback, with Mack Hansen and Rob Baloucoune completing a back three that offers a balance of security, creativity and outright pace.
Hansen’s ability to come off his wing and link play could be particularly valuable, while Baloucoune brings the speed to threaten Argentina out wide.
In midfield, we would go with Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw, leaving Bundee Aki to provide an impact from the bench.
With Garry Ringrose sidelined by a hamstring injury, Henshaw offers an experienced option at outside centre. McCloskey’s carrying and ability to bring others into the game earn him our vote at inside centre.
Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half, but the identity of his halfback partner depends on Prendergast’s recovery.
Ireland remain optimistic about the Leinster out-half’s availability following his wrist injury, although his involvement has yet to be confirmed. If fit, he starts in our team, with Ciaran Frawley taking the jersey if Prendergast misses out.
Up front, Andrew Porter, Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong form an experienced front row, with Joe McCarthy and James Ryan packing down together behind them.
That combination allows Tadhg Beirne to start at blindside flanker, giving Ireland another lineout option and another significant threat over the ball alongside Josh van der Flier.
Sean Jansen gets our vote at number eight.
The absence of Doris and Conan presents an opportunity to give the Connacht forward responsibility in a key position. With Beirne and Van der Flier either side of him, Jansen would have plenty of experience around him as he looks to really establish himself at Test level.
On the bench, Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole and Thomas Clarkson provide the front-row cover, with Ryan Baird and Nick Timoney offering athleticism and options across the rest of the pack.
Craig Casey covers scrum-half, while the replacement out-half selection follows the same fitness contingency as the starting team: Frawley takes the bench spot if Prendergast starts, with the uncapped Jamie Benson included if Frawley is required from the beginning.
Aki completes the 23, giving Ireland a powerful midfield option to introduce as the game develops.
Proposed Ireland team vs Argentina
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Rob Baloucoune
10. Sam Prendergast/Ciaran Frawley
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan (c)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Sean Jansen
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Tom O’Toole
18. Thomas Clarkson
19. Ryan Baird
20. Nick Timoney
21. Craig Casey
22. Ciaran Frawley/Jamie Benson
23. Bundee Aki
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