IRELAND HEAD COACH Andy Farrell has handed Nick Timoney and Craig Casey big starting chances in his starting XV to face Argentina in Dublin on Friday [KO 8.10pm, Virgin Media].

Ulster man Timoney starts at openside, while Munster’s Casey is named at scrum-half for the Nations Championship clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast has been declared fit to start, having been a doubt due to the wrist injury he suffered more than a fortnight ago.

There’s a big opportunity for Connacht’s Sean Jansen at number eight, where he makes just his second Test start in the absence of Caelan Doris and Jack Conan.

Farrell has made a total of seven personnel changes to the Irish side that last played against New Zealand in July, with loosehead prop Andrew Porter, blindside flanker Ryan Baird, and left wing Mack Hansen back from injuries that have kept them out of the green jersey for a year.

Robbie Henshaw comes into the team at outside centre, with Garry Ringrose sidelined.

Hooker Dan Sheehan captains the side as he joins Porter and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, while Joe McCarthy teams up with Tadhg Beirne in the second row, meaning James Ryan will be sprung from the Irish bench.

The returning Baird links up with Jansen and Timoney in an all-new Irish back row.

Stuart McCloskey is Henshaw’s midfield partner, with Hansen coming into a back three that also includes fullback Hugo Keenan and right wing Robert Baloucoune.

The Irish bench is made up of a 5/3 split of forwards and backs, with Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park switching into back-up roles and Bundee Aki being asked to make an impact in the number 23 shirt. 

Connacht’s Sam Illo, who made his Test debut in July off the bench against Japan, is the replacement tighthead prop.

Ireland (v Argentina):

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Robert Baloucoune
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Mack Hansen
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Craig Casey

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Ryan Baird
7. Nick Timoney
8. Sean Jansen 

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Tom O’Toole
18. Sam Illo
19. James Ryan
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ciarán Frawley
23. Bundee Aki

Referee: Luke Pearce [RFU].

This article was updated to include Sam Illo on the Ireland bench, having been erroneously omitted.

Written by Murray Kinsella and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.