Brian O’Driscoll picks his Ireland team to face Argentina on Friday
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Friday Night Lights.
Brian O’Driscoll has predicted the Ireland team he expects Andy Farrell to name for Friday night’s Nations Championship clash with Argentina, with Sean Jansen getting the nod at number eight.
The former Ireland captain’s selection, shared by TNT Sports, also features Sam Prendergast at out-half, a midfield partnership of Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw, and Tommy O’Brien on the left wing.
Jansen’s inclusion is among the most interesting calls. With Caelan Doris and Jack Conan sidelined, the Connacht back-rower has an opportunity to build on his first two Ireland appearances during the summer.
O’Driscoll expects him to pack down between Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier, with Tadhg Beirne selected alongside Joe McCarthy in the second row.
That combination would leave James Ryan outside the starting XV, while Baird gets the nod on the blindside ahead of the other options available to Farrell.
Up front, O’Driscoll has gone for Andrew Porter, captain Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
There is another significant prediction at out-half, where Prendergast is included alongside Jamison Gibson-Park despite the wrist injury that has cast doubt over his availability.
With Garry Ringrose ruled out, Henshaw is O’Driscoll’s choice at outside centre, partnering McCloskey rather than bringing Bundee Aki into the starting midfield.
In the back three, Hugo Keenan starts at fullback, with Robert Baloucoune on the right wing and Tommy O’Brien on the left.
That would mean no immediate starting return for Mack Hansen, who is back in the Ireland squad following his lengthy injury absence.
Ireland host Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, November 6, with kick-off at 8.10pm.
Brian O’Driscoll’s predicted Ireland XV
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Robert Baloucoune
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Tommy O’Brien
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Sean Jansen
