Ireland v Argentina -Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: Ireland and Argentina resume their Nations Championship campaigns on Friday night, with both sides looking to make a strong start to the competition’s second phase at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

South Africa’s visit to Dublin will be one of Ireland’s biggest challenges this November as Andy Farrell’s side steps up their preparations for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Farrell believes Ireland must push beyond their current level if they are to have a genuine chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 12 months’ time, insisting his players are ready to challenge themselves and raise their standards.

“What’s coming in 12 months’ time, I think if we’re honest with ourselves, where we are right now, is that good enough to board the plane believing that 100% we’ve a chance to win the World Cup? I don’t think so,” Farrell said.

“But that excites me more than anything for what’s coming up in the next 12 months.”

Ireland will have home advantage as they look to build on two wins from their three, while Argentina arrive seeking to turn competitive performances into victories after a mixed run of results.

The Pumas beat Wales and pushed Scotland and England close in the opening phase but have since lost to South Africa and Australia before drawing the return match against the Wallabies 28-28 in Mendoza.

While the Pumas’ form in 2026 has been underwhelming, with just one win in six, Farrell insists they will be buoyed by the recent acquisition of revered defence coach Shaun Edwards.

“They’re always unbelievably hard to beat,” he said.

“And on any given one-off day they can beat anyone in the world, and they’ve proven that time and time again.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Felipe [Contepomi]; I think he’s doing a fantastic job and the coaching staff and obviously they will get a bounce from Shaun coming in as well.

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All eyes on Friday night. 👊 https://t.co/WeKcBenP6z

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 3, 2026

The results highlighted Argentina’s competitiveness but also their struggle to turn strong performances into victories.

Their challenge has been made harder by the loss of Santiago Carreras, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season. One of Argentina’s most influential players this year, his absence leaves a significant gap in their attacking game.

Ireland won two of their three Southern Series matches before suffering defeat against an impressive New Zealand side. They will look to make home advantage count against an Argentina team with more recent Test action under their belt.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made several notable selection calls for Friday’s Nations Championship clash against Argentina at Aviva Stadium, with Nick Timoney, Craig Casey and Sean Jansen named in the starting XV.

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Connacht No.8 Jansen keeps his place following his try-scoring debut against Japan in July, with captain Caelan Doris and Jack Conan sidelined by injury.

Casey gets the nod at scrumhalf ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park, who returns to the matchday squad after a groin injury, while Timoney starts at flank ahead of former World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier.

Timoney’s selection extends his run to nine consecutive Tests, although seven of his previous eight appearances came off the bench.

Ireland also welcome back Mack Hansen, Andrew Porter and Ryan Baird, who have not featured since their defeat to South Africa in November 2025. Hansen starts on the left wing, while Baird slots in at blindside flank and Porter returns at loosehead prop.

Robbie Henshaw replaces the injured Garry Ringrose at outside centre, partnering Stuart McCloskey, while Sam Prendergast returns at flyhalf after recovering from a wrist injury.

Dan Sheehan captains the side in Doris’ absence, with Tadhg Furlong and Porter completing the front row. Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy start in the second row, leaving James Ryan among the replacements.

Contepomi made 12 changes to his team following their 28-28 draw with Australia in September as Los Pumas chase a first away victory over Ireland.

Toulouse fullback Juan Cruz Mallia returns to win a cap for the first time since November 2025 after injury.

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made 12 changes to the team that drew 28-28 with Australia in their last outing.

Experienced hooker Julián Montoya will captain the side, with Pablo Matera and Gonzalo García also named in the starting XV.

Flyhalf Tomás Albornoz will earn his 26th Test cap, while Santiago Chocobares and Justo Piccardo form the midfield partnership.

Matteo Carreras starts on the left wing, with Bautista Delguy on the opposite flank and Juan Cruz Mallía at fullback.

Contepomi said one of Argentina’s main objectives was to improve throughout the competition, while acknowledging the significance of facing Ireland.

“It’s the only team [Ireland] we haven’t beaten away from home yet, so it would mean a lot,” he said.

“But I think more so it’s for us to try to get better, be competitive against the third team in the world, and one of the best four teams in the last 15 years or so.

“They’ve been around there, so for us it’s just going and playing against one of those top, top teams in the world and being competitive and trying to impose our game or our game plan.”

Argentina’s physicality is likely to test Ireland’s reshuffled halfback pairing early on, but the hosts’ home advantage and greater bench depth could prove decisive in a tight finish.

Players to watch: 

For Ireland: The new loose trio of Ulster’s Nick Timoney, Ryan Baird and Sean Jansen in a reshaped back row will be tested by Argentina. The combination offers plenty of athleticism and carrying power, but their defensive organisation and ability to secure quick possession will be key. Ireland’s new half-back combination, Casey and Prendergast, will be under immediate scrutiny. Casey must provide quick service and control the tempo, while Prendergast needs to manage territory and avoid giving Argentina opportunities to counter-attack.

For Argentina: Pablo Matera – The experienced backrow forward remains central to Argentina’s plans. His carrying, breakdown work and aggression will test Ireland’s new-look back row. Juan Cruz Mallía is a dangerous attacking player whose pace and counter-attacking ability could punish inaccurate Irish kicking and Argentina’s ability to turn loose possession into attacking opportunities remains one of their greatest strengths.

Ireland vs Argentina
(Aviva Stadium, Ireland – Kick-off: 20:20; 22:10 SAST; 20:10 GMT)

Prediction:

Rugby365:  Ireland by 10 points

Teams:

Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Sam Illo, 19 James Ryan, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Justo Piccardo, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Matteo Carreras, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 1 Boris Wenger.
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efraín Elias, 20 Juan Martín Scelzo, 21 Símon Benítez Cruz, 22 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 23 Lucio Cinti.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland) and Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)