The most significant decision is at scrum-half, where Craig Casey has been selected ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park.

Gibson-Park has been central to Ireland’s attacking game for several seasons, but Farrell has given Casey the opportunity to direct proceedings from the start.

Casey partners Sam Prendergast, who has recovered from the wrist injury that threatened his involvement.

With Jack Crowley unavailable, Friday represents an important opportunity for Prendergast to demonstrate his ability to control a Test match against physical opposition.

Timoney Gets the Nod Ahead of Van der Flier

Farrell has made another notable call at openside flanker, selecting Ulster’s Nick Timoney ahead of Josh van der Flier.

Timoney joins Ryan Baird and Sean Jansen in a reshaped back row, with Caelan Doris and Jack Conan both unavailable.

The combination offers plenty of athleticism and carrying power, but Argentina will test its defensive organisation and ability to secure quick possession.

James Ryan Among the Replacements

Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne start in the second row, with James Ryan held in reserve.

That allows Baird to operate at blindside flanker and gives Ireland an experienced option from the bench if the match becomes a physical battle in the closing stages.

Farrell has selected the following starting XV for Friday night’s Nations Championship clash.

Ireland have selected a five-three split on the bench, with experienced replacements available across the forwards and backs.

Gibson-Park, Frawley and Aki offer considerable international experience if Ireland need to change their attacking approach during the second half.

For Connacht supporters, Sean Jansen’s selection at number eight is one of the biggest stories of the Ireland team announcement.

The Connacht forward made his international debut during the summer and now earns his first Test start against a powerful Argentine pack.

With Doris and Conan unavailable, Jansen has an opportunity to demonstrate that he can provide the carrying power and physicality required at international level.

However, the challenge extends beyond his work with ball in hand. Ireland need their number eight to provide defensive organisation, secure possession and make good decisions under pressure.

Argentina’s experienced back row will provide a demanding examination of those qualities.

Mack Hansen Returns After a Year Away

There is also a welcome return for Mack Hansen, who makes his first Ireland appearance in a year.

The Connacht winger starts on the left, with Robert Baloucoune on the opposite wing and Hugo Keenan at full-back.

Hansen’s creativity, aerial ability and willingness to come off his wing provide Ireland with an important additional attacking option.

Sam Illo Set for Aviva Stadium Debut

Connacht prop Sam Illo is named among the replacements and is in line for his first Ireland appearance at the Aviva Stadium.

Bundee Aki is also among the replacements, giving Ireland a powerful midfield option from the bench.

Friday’s fixture has an intriguing World Cup connection, with Ireland and Argentina potentially on course for another knockout meeting in Australia next year.

Ireland are in Pool D alongside Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal, while Argentina are in Pool C with Fiji, Spain and Canada.

Ireland have never reached a Rugby World Cup semi-final, while Argentina have reached the last four on three occasions.

The Pumas have also beaten Ireland three times at the tournament, including the 43-20 quarter-final victory in Cardiff in 2015.

Although Friday’s result will have no direct bearing on the 2027 knockout draw, it offers Farrell an opportunity to assess his squad against a possible future opponent.

Ireland have won their last four encounters with Argentina, although three of those victories came by 11 points or fewer.

Ireland have scored 151 points and conceded 105 in those five meetings.

The most recent encounter in November 2024 was particularly close. Ireland established an early advantage but struggled to maintain control, eventually surviving a late Argentine comeback to win 22-19.

The 53-7 victory in 2021 stands out, but Argentina have generally proved much more difficult to put away.

Ireland enter Friday’s fixture having won four of their last five matches, while Argentina have won just once in the same period.

Ireland have scored 160 points in their last five matches, averaging 32 per game, but have also conceded 129 points.

Argentina have scored 118 and conceded 124 over the same number of matches.

The statistics suggest Ireland possess the stronger attack, but both defences have shown vulnerabilities.

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made extensive changes from the side that drew 28-28 with Australia in September.

The Pumas are without Santiago Carreras and Thomas Gallo through injury, but retain considerable experience and physicality in their squad.

Pablo Matera

The experienced back-row forward remains central to Argentina’s plans. His carrying, breakdown work and aggression will test Ireland’s new-look back row.

Marcos Kremer

A powerful defender capable of disrupting Ireland’s attacking rhythm through dominant collisions and relentless work around the breakdown.

Juan Cruz Mallía

A dangerous attacking player whose pace and counter-attacking ability could punish inaccurate Irish kicking.

Argentina’s ability to turn loose possession into attacking opportunities remains one of their greatest strengths.

Ireland assistant coach Paul O’Connell has highlighted the Pumas’ attacking quality and recalled the difficulties Ireland experienced in their narrow victory two years ago.

Reflecting on the 2024 encounter, O’Connell acknowledged how close Ireland came to defeat.

The warning is particularly relevant given Argentina’s recent record of narrow defeats against leading international opponents.

1. Casey and Prendergast Against Argentina’s Defensive Pressure

Ireland’s new half-back combination 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.

2. Jansen, Timoney and Baird in the Back Row

Farrell’s reshaped back row offers athleticism and carrying power but lacks the established combination of Doris, van der Flier and Beirne.

Argentina will test Ireland at the breakdown, particularly if the game becomes a physical contest with slow possession.

3. Ireland’s Bench Could Be Decisive

Gibson-Park, van der Flier, James Ryan and Bundee Aki provide Farrell with considerable experience among the replacements.

If the game remains close entering the final quarter, Ireland’s bench could prove decisive.

Ireland are strong favourites to win Friday’s encounter, with bookmakers offering odds of 2/9 on an Irish victory compared with 10/3 for Argentina.

The 10-point handicap is particularly interesting given Argentina’s recent form.

The Pumas have stayed within seven points of their opponents in each of their last four matches, while Ireland have made several significant changes to their starting team.

The total points line of 54.5 suggests expectations of a relatively open encounter, with both sides having conceded an average of more than 24 points per game across their last five fixtures.