Fresh off one of the biggest victories of his coaching career, Andy Farrell has named a dangerous-looking XV for the Ireland v Argentina game on Sunday afternoon at the Aviva stadium.
Robbie Henshaw returns to the starting line-up for his first taste of action in the 2021-22 season. The Leinster centre was one of the star players for Ireland last season but has not played since starting all three (bruising) Lions test in South Africa this past summer.
Joey Carbery starts at outhalf for an injured Johnny Sexton. His Munster teammate Conor Murray starts beside him at scrum half as Jameson Gibson-Park was ruled out during the week.
Exciting Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune is named to start on the wing in the place of Andrew Conway.
The Leinster frontrow of Porter, Kelleher and Furlong will start again but Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan returns to the bench.
Ireland v Argentina is always a tasty fixture, though Ireland have won four of the past five meetings against Los Pumas.
📋 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Introducing your Ireland Match Day 23 to face Argentina at @avivastadium on Sunday! 👊#TeamOfUs | #IREvARG— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 19, 2021
Ireland v Argentina team news
Second row James Ryan will captain the side. This week, Ryan spoke about the difficulties he's had to overcome this past year.
“It probably wasn’t the easiest season last season.
“Look, I think being a player performing at this level you always have doubts.
“I have doubts when things are going pretty well for me.
“There’s a saying, ‘if you doubt yourself you trust yourself’, you know what I mean?
You can never be comfortable and happy with where you are and I don’t think I’ve ever been complacent. This season has been good to me so far. Getting a few knocks, it takes a while to get your confidence back and build up that.
Just get that bit of confidence. I feel like I have that back now obviously coming through a number of games. I’m feeling good just like everybody else. Beating New Zealand at home felt very satisfying.
Obviously, a lot of work was put into that by the group, eight or 10 days, and to come out the right side of it was pretty good.
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