THIS MONTH FEELS like it will be a seminal campaign for this version of Andy Farrell’s Ireland.
The chapter that involved legendary figures such as Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy is well and truly in the past.
This is a team that belongs to the likes of Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne, Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan and Caelan Doris, who is injured but obviously remains a key figure.
Farrell has surely gone about as far with the regeneration of his squad as he is likely to go this close to the 2027 World Cup. There might be a few fresh faces still bedding in during the next 11 months, but his core group is well established.
Now, the time has come for them to be a consistent force and take things to the next level, starting with today’s clash against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium [KO 8.10pm, Virgin Media].
Ireland have had some great days, including their excellent Six Nations wins against England and Scotland this year as they claimed a Triple Crown.
Yet this team have had very tough days too, notably against South Africa, New Zealand and France in the last two seasons. Whatever about not beating that trio of elite nations, Farrell’s side haven’t really performed in those big games. That frustration lingers.
South Africa will be in town in three weeks, but Ireland have the visits of Argentina and Fiji to contend with first. The final weekend of this month will involve a play-off game in London. Ireland want that to be the Nations Championship final.
Unusually for Ireland, this game was a few thousand tickets short of a sell-out at the time of writing on Thursday evening. It looks like there will be swathes of empty seats in the top corners of the stand unless there is a late rush for those tickets.
Johnny Sexton and Andy Farrell. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
The Friday night kick-off makes the game inaccessible for many around the country, Argentina are ranked eighth in the world, and expensive ticket prices have deterred the usual scramble for seats, but Ireland insist they still sense great support.
“I think we feel the love from the people, and we need to make sure that we put on a show tomorrow night and show how much it means to us to be representing them on the field,” said Ireland skipper Sheehan on Thursday.
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“We’ve talked about what the little kid in the crowd thinks of us and what he’s aspiring to be. That’s our role as players, putting on a performance for them.”
Everyone would enjoy seeing the potentially thrilling back three of Keenan, Rob Baloucoune and the returning Mack Hansen spark into life, with James Lowe out of the frame but still not forgotten.
Farrell will hope that Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw can underline that being 33 and 34, respectively, has no relevance to international performance, with 35-year-old Bundee Aki looking to prove similar off the bench.
Farrell will want to see 23-year-old out-half Sam Prendergast continue his sharp early-campaign form for Leinster. Alongside him is Munster scrum-half Craig Casey, who joins Ulster openside Nick Timoney in getting a rare starting chance in Ireland’s frontline team. That means Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier are in unfamiliar bench slots for Ireland, so Casey and Timoney will understand the need to take their chances.
An Irish back row of the returning Ryan Baird, Timoney, and Connacht’s Sean Jansen looks quick and punchy, while McCarthy is in superb form in the second row and Beirne is an elite operator. James Ryan is part of a potent-looking Irish bench.
And then there’s the all-Lions front row of Andrew Porter, Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. Porter last played for Ireland in the scrum humbling at the hands of South Africa this time last year, so the Irish front row will be keen to make a mark in the set-piece.
Andrew Porter is back for Ireland. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
With the visit of the Springboks looming, Ireland need to get this right against Argentina.
“There’s been a good focus on making sure we’re improving our scrum,” said Sheehan.
“We haven’t been happy with how it’s gone in the big games. We have a big challenge coming up against a properly experienced, heavy pack. It’ll be a good battle that we put a lot of work into.”
It remains to be seen if hooker Sheehan switches to number eight at some stage this November, having started there for Leinster recently. The Irish skipper confirmed that he has had training reps in the back row during this Ireland camp.
With Farrell and his assistant coaches having insisted the Irish players improve their physical fitness ahead of this season, there’s also an expectation that they will be more accurate in their attack, which did fire thrillingly at times last season, as well as having sloppy off-days like their most recent outing against New Zealand.
With Hansen’s playmaking ability back in the mix and the daring Baloucoune now established, the hope is that Ireland can get into a good rhythm and flow this month.
Standing in their way first up is this Argentina team, who have been inconsistent in recent years, and fairly poor in 2026 so far. Last year, Felipe Contepomi’s men showed their exciting threat with wins against the Lions and the All Blacks.
Sheehan remembers still being somewhat “in awe” of Contepomi when he was breaking into a Leinster set-up where the former Argentina out-half was the backs coach up until 2022, when he joined the Pumas.
“The lads would be very fond of him in the changing room,” said the Ireland captain. “He’s someone that has a good balance of humour and serious business when it comes to rugby.”
Sheehan and co. will be happy if Contepomi isn’t in the mood for too many jokes late on Friday night, but the Pumas boss will feel he is sending out a strong team at the Aviva, with a large group of his frontliners back after being rested for their Tests in August and early September.
Felipe Contepomi in UCD on Thursday. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Skipper Julián Montoya will lead from the front, Pedro Rubiolo is a rising force in the second row, and the back row of Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, and Juan Martín González brings grunt and guile. Meanwhile, an all-Top 14 backline will provide pace, power and panache if Ireland invite them to do so.
Ireland probably feel that they have a better match day 23 overall, yet the Pumas can call on emerging Toulouse lock Efraín Elias and dashing Saracens centre Lucio Cinti to make an impact too.
Ireland have never lost to Argentina on Irish soil, so they’ll be determined to extend that streak to 12 games. The Pumas can be slow out of the blocks when they regather from their clubs around the world.
Ireland are viewed as 10-point favourites in some quarters, and Farrell would love to see his side open up, but Los Pumas will be looking for something akin to their thrilling win over the Lions at the Aviva in 2025.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.
ARGENTINA: Juan Cruz Mallía; Bautista Delguy, Justo Piccardo, Santiago Chocobares, Matteo Carreras; Tomás Albornoz, Gonzalo García; Boris Wenger, Julián Montoya (captain), Francisco Moreno; Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo; Juan Martín González, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera.
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Mayco Vivas, Joel Sclavi, Efraín Elias, Juan Martín Scelzo, Símon Benítez Cruz, Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Lucio Cinti.
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Farrell's Ireland bid to go to the next level as Pumas visit Dublin
THIS MONTH FEELS like it will be a seminal campaign for this version of Andy Farrell’s Ireland.
The chapter that involved legendary figures such as Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy is well and truly in the past.
This is a team that belongs to the likes of Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne, Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan and Caelan Doris, who is injured but obviously remains a key figure.
Farrell has surely gone about as far with the regeneration of his squad as he is likely to go this close to the 2027 World Cup. There might be a few fresh faces still bedding in during the next 11 months, but his core group is well established.
Now, the time has come for them to be a consistent force and take things to the next level, starting with today’s clash against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium [KO 8.10pm, Virgin Media].
Ireland have had some great days, including their excellent Six Nations wins against England and Scotland this year as they claimed a Triple Crown.
Yet this team have had very tough days too, notably against South Africa, New Zealand and France in the last two seasons. Whatever about not beating that trio of elite nations, Farrell’s side haven’t really performed in those big games. That frustration lingers.
South Africa will be in town in three weeks, but Ireland have the visits of Argentina and Fiji to contend with first. The final weekend of this month will involve a play-off game in London. Ireland want that to be the Nations Championship final.
Unusually for Ireland, this game was a few thousand tickets short of a sell-out at the time of writing on Thursday evening. It looks like there will be swathes of empty seats in the top corners of the stand unless there is a late rush for those tickets.
The Friday night kick-off makes the game inaccessible for many around the country, Argentina are ranked eighth in the world, and expensive ticket prices have deterred the usual scramble for seats, but Ireland insist they still sense great support.
“I think we feel the love from the people, and we need to make sure that we put on a show tomorrow night and show how much it means to us to be representing them on the field,” said Ireland skipper Sheehan on Thursday.
“We’ve talked about what the little kid in the crowd thinks of us and what he’s aspiring to be. That’s our role as players, putting on a performance for them.”
Everyone would enjoy seeing the potentially thrilling back three of Keenan, Rob Baloucoune and the returning Mack Hansen spark into life, with James Lowe out of the frame but still not forgotten.
Farrell will hope that Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw can underline that being 33 and 34, respectively, has no relevance to international performance, with 35-year-old Bundee Aki looking to prove similar off the bench.
Farrell will want to see 23-year-old out-half Sam Prendergast continue his sharp early-campaign form for Leinster. Alongside him is Munster scrum-half Craig Casey, who joins Ulster openside Nick Timoney in getting a rare starting chance in Ireland’s frontline team. That means Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier are in unfamiliar bench slots for Ireland, so Casey and Timoney will understand the need to take their chances.
An Irish back row of the returning Ryan Baird, Timoney, and Connacht’s Sean Jansen looks quick and punchy, while McCarthy is in superb form in the second row and Beirne is an elite operator. James Ryan is part of a potent-looking Irish bench.
And then there’s the all-Lions front row of Andrew Porter, Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong. Porter last played for Ireland in the scrum humbling at the hands of South Africa this time last year, so the Irish front row will be keen to make a mark in the set-piece.
With the visit of the Springboks looming, Ireland need to get this right against Argentina.
“There’s been a good focus on making sure we’re improving our scrum,” said Sheehan.
“We haven’t been happy with how it’s gone in the big games. We have a big challenge coming up against a properly experienced, heavy pack. It’ll be a good battle that we put a lot of work into.”
It remains to be seen if hooker Sheehan switches to number eight at some stage this November, having started there for Leinster recently. The Irish skipper confirmed that he has had training reps in the back row during this Ireland camp.
With Farrell and his assistant coaches having insisted the Irish players improve their physical fitness ahead of this season, there’s also an expectation that they will be more accurate in their attack, which did fire thrillingly at times last season, as well as having sloppy off-days like their most recent outing against New Zealand.
With Hansen’s playmaking ability back in the mix and the daring Baloucoune now established, the hope is that Ireland can get into a good rhythm and flow this month.
Standing in their way first up is this Argentina team, who have been inconsistent in recent years, and fairly poor in 2026 so far. Last year, Felipe Contepomi’s men showed their exciting threat with wins against the Lions and the All Blacks.
Sheehan remembers still being somewhat “in awe” of Contepomi when he was breaking into a Leinster set-up where the former Argentina out-half was the backs coach up until 2022, when he joined the Pumas.
“The lads would be very fond of him in the changing room,” said the Ireland captain. “He’s someone that has a good balance of humour and serious business when it comes to rugby.”
Sheehan and co. will be happy if Contepomi isn’t in the mood for too many jokes late on Friday night, but the Pumas boss will feel he is sending out a strong team at the Aviva, with a large group of his frontliners back after being rested for their Tests in August and early September.
Skipper Julián Montoya will lead from the front, Pedro Rubiolo is a rising force in the second row, and the back row of Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, and Juan Martín González brings grunt and guile. Meanwhile, an all-Top 14 backline will provide pace, power and panache if Ireland invite them to do so.
Ireland probably feel that they have a better match day 23 overall, yet the Pumas can call on emerging Toulouse lock Efraín Elias and dashing Saracens centre Lucio Cinti to make an impact too.
Ireland have never lost to Argentina on Irish soil, so they’ll be determined to extend that streak to 12 games. The Pumas can be slow out of the blocks when they regather from their clubs around the world.
Ireland are viewed as 10-point favourites in some quarters, and Farrell would love to see his side open up, but Los Pumas will be looking for something akin to their thrilling win over the Lions at the Aviva in 2025.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.
ARGENTINA: Juan Cruz Mallía; Bautista Delguy, Justo Piccardo, Santiago Chocobares, Matteo Carreras; Tomás Albornoz, Gonzalo García; Boris Wenger, Julián Montoya (captain), Francisco Moreno; Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo; Juan Martín González, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera.
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Mayco Vivas, Joel Sclavi, Efraín Elias, Juan Martín Scelzo, Símon Benítez Cruz, Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Lucio Cinti.
Referee: Luke Pearce [RFU].
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