Nick Timoney, Craig Casey and Sean Jansen will begin for Eire in opposition to Argentina within the Nations Championship on Friday night time, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier on the bench at Aviva Stadium.
With captain Caelan Doris and two-tour British and Irish Lion Jack Conan lacking by means of harm, Connacht’s Jansen at all times appeared the almost certainly to fill in at quantity eight for head coach Andy Farrell.
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The 27-year-old made a try-scoring debut for Eire in opposition to Japan in July and adopted that with a cameo as a alternative in opposition to the All Blacks per week later.
The alternatives of Casey and Timoney, nonetheless, had been much less anticipated.
Influential scrum-half Gibson-Park has arguably been Eire’s greatest performer in current seasons.
The 34-year-old missed the beginning of Leinster’s season with a groin harm however made his return within the win over Munster on 24 October.
With solely that sport below his belt this season, he’ll begin on the bench with Casey most well-liked to start out at 9 in a half-back partnership with fly-half Sam Prendergast, who has recovered from a wrist harm.
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Ulster again row Timoney, 31, beforehand struggled to recurrently break into the facet regardless of sturdy type for his province, however choice in opposition to Argentina means he will probably be concerned in his ninth consecutive Take a look at.
Seven of these appearances, nonetheless, have been from the bench and his begin on Friday night time comes on the expense of former World Rugby participant of the 12 months Van der Flier.
With Garry Ringrose dominated out due to a hamstring drawback, the skilled Robbie Henshaw will put on the 13 jersey, forming a midfield partnership with Stuart McCloskey.
Wing Mack Hansen, prop Andrew Porter and Ryan Baird all begin, having not featured for Eire for the reason that defeat by South Africa in November 2025.
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All three missed the Six Nations and summer season fixtures within the Nations Championship by means of harm.
Hansen begins within the quantity 11 jersey in what’s Eire’s first house sport since James Lowe’s departure from Irish rugby, with Robert Baloucoune preserving his spot on the correct wing and Hugo Keenan chosen at full-back.
Baird is chosen at blind-side flanker, becoming a member of Timoney and Jansen within the again row.
Porter’s return at loose-head will probably be a substantial enhance for coach Farrell after current home windows had been influence by harm issues on the place.
He’ll pack down alongside hooker Dan Sheehan, who captains the facet in Doris’ absence, and tight-head Tadhg Furlong.
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Furlong is free to play after he was cleared by a disciplinary committee of grabbing Gavin Coombes within the groin final month.
With Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy chosen as beginning locks, James Ryan should make do with a spot on the bench alongside Van der Flier and Gibson-Park.
Sam Illo, who will make his house debut if referred to as upon, Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki are Eire’s different replacements.
Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi has made 12 adjustments from the facet that drew 28-28 with Australia in September as Los Pumas search a primary away win over Eire.
Toulouse full-back Juan Cruz Mallia returns to win a primary cap since November 2025 after harm.
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Line-ups
Eire: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciaran Frawley or Jamie Benson, Bundee Aki.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia; Bautista Delguy, Justo Piccardo, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Boris Wenger, Julian Montoya (capt), Francisco Moreno; Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo; Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera.
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Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Mayco Vivas, Joel Sclavi, Efrain Elias, Juan Martin Scelzo, Simon Benitez Cruz, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Lucio Cinti.
