IRELAND BOSS ANDY Farrell is set to welcome some frontline talent back into his team to face Argentina on Friday.

Connacht’s Mack Hansen and Leinster prop Andrew Porter are expected to return after a year-long absence due to injury, while Leinster forward Ryan Baird is also available to Farrell, having last played Test rugby in November 2025.

There is set to be one relatively fresh face in the Irish team, with Connacht’s Sean Jansen in line for a big opportunity in Ireland’s number eight shirt for the Nations Championship clash at the Aviva Stadium [KO 8.10pm].

27-year-old Jansen won his first two Ireland caps during the July window of the Nations Championship, starting against Japan and coming off the bench against New Zealand.

With regular captain Caelan Doris and Jack Conan both out injured, Jansen looks set to get the nod for Friday’s clash with Los Pumas.

It seems likely that Ireland boss Farrell will recall wing Hansen to his starting team, with the Connacht flyer available for the first time since last November.

Hansen has had to deal with frustrating foot injuries but has been up and running at the start of this season, and could join Ulster’s Rob Baloucoune and Leinster’s Hugo Keenan in the Irish back three, although Leinster’s Tommy O’Brien is also back in the selection mix after missing the July campaign.

Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park recently made his return from a groin injury for his province and is expected to continue in the number nine shirt, with Sam Prendergast in line to partner him in the halfbacks if his recovery from a wrist injury is complete.

23-year-old Prendergast suffered the injury during Leinster training two weeks ago after a sharp start to his season, but Ireland have been optimistic about him recovering in time to face Argentina. Connacht’s Ciarán Frawley is next in line for the number 10 shirt, but Prendergast has been training with Ireland this week.

Stuart McCloskey is expected to continue at inside centre, where he was excellent for Farrell’s side last season, while Robbie Henshaw may get the nod to start at outside centre in the absence of the injured Garry Ringrose.

Jamie Osborne and Bundee Aki are also options in the number 13 shirt, but the latter may have to settle for a bench impact role against Argentina.

The Irish front row could have an experienced look to it if Farrell goes with the returning Porter, hooker Dan Sheehan and tighthead Tadhg Furlong.

It’s understood that loosehead prop Porter has also been training at tighthead with Ireland again, so they could consider using him in that position at some stage in this November window.

Joe McCarthy’s ongoing excellent form should see him start in the second row and Farrell has the luxury of Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan both being fit too, meaning his three frontline locks are good to go.

Baird is another man back having missed a year of Ireland action due to injury, so he has been pushing hard for a return on the blindside flank, where Beirne and the in-form Connacht captain Cian Prendergast are also strong options for Farrell.

Josh van der Flier is the incumbent at openside, although it’s thought that Ulster’s Nick Timoney has been applying more pressure than ever to start in the number seven shirt.

Farrell is due to confirm his match day 23 to face Argentina at 2pm on Wednesday.