Ireland team v Argentina: Andy Farrell makes major Sam Prendergast call for Los Pumas showdown
Andy Farrell (right) has named his side to face Argentina, with Sam Prendergast (left) named in the run-on group
Sam Prendergast has been deemed fit to start for Ireland this weekend, with the Leinsterman selected to start at fly-half for their Nations Championship Test against Argentina.
The 23-year-old has shaken off a wrist complaint picked up on club duty to make the run-on group, which comes after Ireland confirmed they were hopeful he could feature in the upcoming clash against Los Pumas.
Ireland have not lost to Argentina in any of their previous four meetings, and should they extend that record this weekend, they will climb to the top of the Northern Hemisphere pool.
Sam Prendergast fit for Ireland as Andy Farrell names 23-man squad
Prendergast is not the only big selection call in the Ireland backline, either. Hugo Keenan gets the nod at 15, with Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen starting on the wings. Robbie Henshaw is preferred at 13 this weekend, joining Stuart McCloskey in the midfield.
Craig Casey starts at scrum-half and joins Prendergast in the playmaking axis.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Sean Jansen, Nick Timoney and Ryan Baird are the back-row unit, with Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy named in the locks. Tadhg Furlong, skipper Sheehan and Andrew Porter form an all-Leinster front-row.
Farrell has opted for a 5:3 split on the bench for this weekend’s showdown, with Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier the forwards and Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciaran Frawley and Bundee Aki covering the backline.
Argentina team: Felipe Contepomi goes full strength in bid to end 11-year Ireland losing streak
Ireland team v Argentina in full
Starting XV: 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 (c), 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
Date: Friday, 6 November 2026
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 20:10 (local), 20:10 (UK), 21:10 (France), 22:10 (South Africa), 07:10 (7 November, AEDT), 09:10 (7 November, New Zealand), 17:10 (Argentina), 05:10 (7 November, JST), 15:10 (EST)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (SRU), Morne Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Broadcasters: ITV / ITVX (United Kingdom), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), SuperSport (South Africa / Africa), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport (New Zealand), FloSports (USA), Wowow (Japan)
