Farrell gives Prendergast his Ireland break

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team for Friday’s sold-out year-end Test against Argentina in Dublin.

Farrell has included two uncapped players in his matchday squad.

The Leinster pair of Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast were named as replacements.

Cian Healy is in line to win his 133rd Test cap, moving him level with Brian O’Driscoll at the top of Ireland’s all-time appearance list.

Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Mack Hansen start in an unchanged Ireland back three.

Robbie Henshaw – on his 75th appearance – joins Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley once again form the halfback pairing.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham make up an unchanged starting front row.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are in the engine room.

Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and captain Caelan Doris complete the Ireland starting team.

Healy, who made his Ireland debut against Australia in November 2009, is set for a milestone appearance off the bench, joining Rob Herring, the uncapped Clarkson, Ryan Baird and Peter O’Mahony as the forward reinforcements available to Farrell.

Former Ireland Under-20 international Clarkson was originally named in Farrell’s November squad as a training panellist and has impressed throughout this window to earn his opportunity.

Flyhalf Prendergast is also in line for his debut appearance in green having been a member of the mid-year Emerging Ireland tour squad to South Africa.

Backs Craig Casey and Jamie Osborne complete the Ireland matchday squad for the visit of Los Pumas to Dublin.

“There has been a sharp focus in training this week and the squad are determined to get back to winning ways in front of a vocal home crowd,” Andy Farrell said.

“Friday will be a special match for more reasons than one.

“For Tom and Sam, their promotion to the matchday squad for the first time is testament to their form, talent and application over the last number of weeks and we congratulate them on their selection.

“For Cian [Healy], on the other end of the career spectrum, it will be an incredible moment for him, his family and friends to reach Brian O’Driscoll’s 133-cap landmark.

“We’ll pay tribute to Cian again, but he is a legend of the game in Ireland and his influence amongst his team-mates, past and present, transcends his many successes on the field.

“It promises to be a special match.”

As for Prendergast, Farrell says going on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in October had done him the world of good.

He started all three games in the space of seven days.

“Prendergast is ready,” said Farrell.

“For a young fellow, he has not had much game time.

“He is a confident kid and is a lot more comfortable in his own skin, since we took him on the Emerging Ireland tour.

“The reason we did was for him to grab hold of his team and show that he was in charge, and he did that.”

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Jamie Osborne.

Date: Friday, November 15
Venue: Landsdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 20.10 (20.10 GMT, 17.10 Argentina time)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)