Andy Farrell names Ireland rugby team to face Argentina on Friday night

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named his team to play Argentina in their opening autumn Nations Championship fixture at Aviva Stadium on Friday night. The Irish Examiner and RTE.ie report that fly-half Sam Prendergast has been passed fit to start, alongside scrum-half Craig Casey. Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen and Andrew Porter also return to the starting line-up after missing the 2025 Six Nations and summer fixtures through injury, having last played for Ireland in November. [1][2][7][8][11]

According to the Irish Times, Ireland's starting backline features Hugo Keenan at full-back, Rob Baloucoune and Mack Hansen on the wings, with Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey in the centres. Prendergast and Casey form the half-back pairing. In the pack, Andrew Porter, captain Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong start in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne in the second row. Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, and Sean Jansen complete the back row. [1][2][9][10]

The Irish Times also detailed Argentina's line-up, which includes Juan Cruz Mallia at full-back, Bautista Delguy and Mateo Carreras on the wings, and Justo Piccardo alongside Santiago Chocobares in the midfield. Tomas Albornoz and Gonzalo Garcia are named as the half-backs. Boris Wenger, captain Julian Montoya, and Francisco Morena form the front row, backed by locks Guido Petti and Pedro Rubiolo. [2]

The Daily Mail noted that Ireland are returning to action following a summer tour that ended with a 40-21 defeat against New Zealand. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Farrell previously selected a 36-man squad for the series, appointing hooker Dan Sheehan as team captain. [2][3][14]