Andy Farrell’s side will aim to close out the year on a high and finish their Autumn Internationals with a 100% record from three games following previous wins over Japan and the All Blacks.

On top of this, the Irish have the chance to extend their win streak to eight and take a huge amount of momentum with them into the next Six Nations tournament.

Their impressive wins this November have showcased an expansive brand of attacking rugby that the team has only previously tapped into on occasion.

However, the matchday squad is a slight departure from those that faced their last two opponents, but every player has had a run-out in the system Andy Farrell and his backroom are pushing.

Argentina are searching for their second win of the Autumn Internationals to end the year after a dismal run of form starting with the beginning of The Rugby Championship in August.

Their last win came against Italy and before that a depleted Wales side who they played twice in the middle of a British and Irish Lions tour.

It was a convincing, clinical victory but the week before had exposed the defensive frailties and indiscipline that has plagued them since as they allowed Wales to rescue a draw from the clutches of defeat.

Average penalties conceded 2016-2021 pic.twitter.com/wTrPlX0U5E

— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) November 19, 2021

Argentina currently have the third-highest average penalty count of Rugby Championship and Six Nations sides this year, conceding 13 per game – in contrast, Ireland have the best with their figure sitting at 10.

Argentina are actually the side that are improving their penalty count – it shot up to 14 in 2020 but has reduced by one ahead of their last game of the year.

Ireland, on the other hand, have conceded considerably more penalties under Andy Farrell than they did with Joe Schmidt as Head Coach.

However, Ireland kept it low compared to other teams and have made up for the increase with their impressive set-piece ability and now a more exciting attacking structure.

Argentina have not. This year was the first time they have won three times in a calendar year under Ledesma yet the famous win over New Zealand last November feels a lifetime away.

A fourth win of the year this year will improve morale in the squad but their discipline needs to improve if they are to find the consistency they crave.

Teams

Ireland

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 15 caps
14. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 52 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 8 caps
10. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 26 caps
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 91 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 39 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 15 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 51 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 65 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 39 caps CAPTAIN
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 11 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements 
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 111 caps
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 24 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 78 caps
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
22. Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 95 caps

Argentina

Emiliano Boffelli (Edinburgh), Mateo Carreras (Newcastle Falcons), Matias Moroni (Leicester Tigers), Jeronimo de la Fuente (Perpignan), Lucio Cinti (London Irish) Santiago Carreras (Gloucester), Tomas Cubelli (Biarritz); Thomas Gallo (Benetton), Julian Montoya (Leicester Tigers, capt), Francisco Gomez Kodela (Lyon);Guido Petti (Bordeaux), Tomas Lavanini (Clermont Auvergne) Santiago Grondona (Exeter), Marcos Kremer (Stade Francais), Pablo Matera (Crusaders).

Replacements: Facundo Bosch (La Rochelle), Ignacio Calles (Pau), Eduardo Bello (Zebre Parma), Lucas Paulos (Brive), Facundo Isa (Toulon), Gonzalo Bertranou (Dragons), Nicolas Sanchez (Stade Francais), Facundo Cordero (Exeter Chiefs).

Odds

Ireland 1/8

Draw 25/1

Argentina 5/1

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 2:15 pm on Sunday, November 21 with live coverage available on RTÉ 2 (1:30 pm) and Channel 4 (1:45 pm).

The post Ireland v Argentina – Preview, Teams, Odds, Where To Watch appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Dane Coles will start at hooker in his 80th test, with Samisoni Taukei’aho coming onto the bench alongside George Bower and Ofa Tuungafasi.

Akira Ioane starts at six and Sam Cane at seven with Shannon Frizell coming onto the bench as loose forward cover.

In the backs, Aaron Smith starts at halfback, with Richie Mo’unga at ten while  Quinn Tupaea comes in at 12 to pair up with Rieko Ioane in the midfield, and George Bridge comes in on the left-wing.

Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie come onto the bench, joining David Havili as the back reserves.

All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We’re really excited about this match, it’s a big statement game for us, and we know we have to respond from the Irish performance.

“It’s been an incredibly long tour but I’ve been delighted with how the players have handled it from a physical point of view.  They’ve given us everything and I couldn’t be more proud of the way they have handled the length of this tour.

“But we’ve had to manage the physical and mental load for the players, so have changed things up a bit for this final Test to maximise the energy within the whole group. That’s not a reflection on the guys that haven’t been selected, it’s more a chance to bring some fresh players in, and that’s going to be vital for us.”

Foster said All Blacks versus France Tests were always eagerly-anticipated clashes.

“There’s a mutual respect between our two countries built over years and years.  Kiwis have always loved the way the French play, there’s a flair about them that we’ve always been drawn to … they have knocked us over in some pretty big moments in history.

“They are a young, formidable team building in confidence and they’ve been targeting this match so it’s a huge way for us to finish our Tudor Northern Tour.”

All Blacks team v France

1. Joe Moody (56)
2. Dane Coles (79)
3. Nepo Laulala (39)
4. Brodie Retallick (91)
5. Samuel Whitelock (131) – captain
6. Akira Ioane (12)
7. Sam Cane (76)
8. Ardie Savea (59)
9. Aaron Smith (101)
10. Richie Mo’unga (31)
11. George Bridge (18)
12. Quinn Tupaea (6)
13. Rieko Ioane (46)
14. Will Jordan (12)
15. Jordie Barrett (35)

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (8)
17. George Bower (10)
18. Ofa Tuungafasi (43)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (10)
20. Shannon Frizell (16)
21. Brad Weber (16)
22. Damian McKenzie (39)
23. David Havili (14)

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Ireland women’s rugby are back in action after their heartbreak in Parma. The side was narrowly beaten and missed out on qualification for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand.

This has been a hectic week in the media for the players after the Director of Irish women’s rugby Anthony Eddy made controversial claims to the media about the team’s lack of success. Some current and former players have spoken out against the Director on social media in recent days.

Anthony Eddy's comments have now been described as "slurry" by a member of the current Ireland team who is in camp preparing to play on Friday and "spineless" by a current player and recent international. Quite an impacthttps://t.co/14wizGx9fp

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) November 9, 2021

Players Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Nichola Fryday spoke in a press conference today and said that they are only focused on their job at hand; their game against the Americans.

Manager Adam Griggs has shown his excitement in facing the star-studded USA team:

“We have had two good weeks of preparation for the Autumn Tests and the group are excited to get back out on the pitch and put that hard work into action. A first Test at the RDS under Friday night lights will be a special occasion and we’re looking forward to having family, friends, and our supporters back in the stands to get behind us.”

Ireland v USA Eagles will kick off at 19:45 on Friday 12th November in the RDS.

Their next match will be against Japan at 15:00 on Saturday 20th November.

Ireland Women’s squad v USA Eagle

Ireland women: 15. Lauren Delany, 14. Laura Sheehan, 13. Eimear Considine, 12. Sene Naoupu, 11. Beibhinn Parsons, 10. Stacey Flood, 9. Ailsa Hughes; 1. Lindsay Peat, 2. Cliodhna Moloney, 3. Leah Lyons, 4. Nichola Fryday, 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Ciara Griffin (c), 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Anna Caplice

Replacements: 16. Neve Jones, 17. Katie O’Dwyer, 18. Linda Djougang, 19. Hannah O’Connor, 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21. Kathryn Dane, 22. Eve Higgins, 23. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international club rugby news, click here.

The post Ireland Women’s Rugby announce team for USA test appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Flanker Lappies Labuschagné will lead his side out on Saturday as he wears the captain’s armband in the absence of Michael Leitch.

24-year-old Ben Gunter is set to make his debut for the national side at blindside flanker, with number 8 Kazuki Himeno in between the pair.

Keita Inagaki and Ji-Won Gu start at prop with hooker Atsushi Sakate completing the front row for the Brave Blossoms.

The second row is occupied by Jack Cornelsen and James Moore.

Yutaka Nagare and Yu Tamura make for an exciting half-back partnership, with Ryoto Nakumara and Timothy Lafaele only adding to that in the midfield.

The back three consists of Siosaia Fifita, Kotaro Matsushima and Dylan Riley, who lines up for his second cap for Jamie Joseph’s team.

Replacements for Japan includes the likes of Asaeli Ai Valu and Naoto Saito.

Eight members of the squad line out for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan’s Top League, while 11 sides are represented in the matchday 23.

10 of those 11 sides will have players starting the game, including Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne, who employ Matsushima.

Japan team v Ireland 

1. Keita Inagaki (Panasonic Wild Knights)
2. Atsushi Sakate (Panasonic Wild Knights)
3. Ji-won Gu (Honda Heat)
4. Jack Cornelsen (Panasonic Wild Knights)
5. James Moore (Munakata Sanix Blues)
6. Ben Gunter (Panasonic Wild Knights)
7. Lappies Labuschagné (C) (Kubota Spears)
8. Kazuki Himeno (Highlanders)
9. Yutoka Nagare (Suntory Sungoliath)
10. Yu Tamura (Yokohama Canon Eagles)
11. Siosaia Fifita (Hanazono Kinetsu Liners)
12. Ryoto Nakamura (Suntory Sungoliath)
13. Timothy Lafaele (Kobelco Steelers)
14. Dylan Riley (Panasonic Wild Knights)
15. Kotaro Matsushima (Clermont Auvergne)

Replacements

16. Yusuke Niwai (Yokohama Canon Eagles)

17. Craig Millar (Panasonic Wild Knights)

18. Asaeli Ai Valu (Panasonic Wild Knights)

19. Yoshitaka Tokunaga (Toshiba Brave Lupus)

20. Tevita Tatafu (Suntory Sungoliath)

21. Naoto Saito (Suntory Sungoliath)

22. Rikiya Matsuda (Panasonic Wild Knights)

23. Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Steelers)

The post Japan side named for Autumn clash with Ireland in Dublin appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Roberts is eligible to play for the Wales national team through his paternal grandmother, who came from the town of Llandysul.

The 25-year-old front-rower has made 10 appearances for the Irish province and joins the Wales squad for the first time.

He made his debut for the side when he came on as a replacement in their Pro14 clash against Edinburgh at Murrayfield last season.

Roberts has played in every United Rugby Championship game for Ulster so far this season, with his sole start for the club coming in their opener against Glasgow Warriors at Kingspan Stadium.

The South African-born rugby player also lines out for Energia Men’s All Ireland League side Rainey Old Boys.

Scarlets hooker Owens was initially named in the starting XV to face the All Blacks this weekend but was out of the squad half an hour later.

‘The Sheriff’ had failed a late fitness test on a back problem he had shortly before head coach Wayne Pivac faced the media – Pivac announced the news in his press conference.

Fellow Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias replaces Owens in the starting lineup for Saturday’s game in Cardiff – the first of Wales’ Autumn internationals.

An official announcement on Roberts’ call-up to the Welsh squad reads: “Wales have called on the services of hooker Bradley Roberts, following the announcement of Ken Owens’ back injury.

“The 25-year-old has made 10 appearances for Ulster, most recently as a try-scoring replacement against Connacht last weekend.

The post Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts called up to Wales squad appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The three matches will be played in November at the Aviva Stadium and Munster winger Simon Zebo will be among those in the squad for them.

Johnny Sexton who has been capped 99 times for his country will lead the squad during this international window.

Six of Ireland’s players who toured with the British and Irish Lions during the summer – Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and Conor Murray are included as is Ronan Kelleher who joined the squad in South Africa.

Six of the players who won their first caps during the Vodafone Summer Series in July have been included in the squad – Robert Baloucoune, Harry Byrne, Gavin Coombes, James Hume, Tom O’Toole and Nick Timoney.

There are two uncapped players named Leinster duo Dan Sheehan and Ciaran Frawley, who have impressed under former Ireland international Leo Cullen.

Robbie Henshaw will continue his rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Ireland medical team.

Thomas Ahern (Munster) and Jamie Osborne (Leinster) will train with the squad as development players during this window.

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell, commented: “It has been a short lead into this international window but that is the challenge, to get back up to speed quickly and build on the performances from the Six Nations and the Summer Tests.

“This is the start of an exciting period for the group as we begin to build towards the Rugby World Cup in France.”

“In September we got together and mapped out what was coming up in this window, the exciting fixtures that lay ahead in the next 12 months and beyond that the opportunities to improve as a group over the next five windows we will have together.

“In a few weeks’ time, we will face an exciting and well-coached Japan team who showed in July what a dangerous team they are.

“New Zealand dominated the Rugby Championship losing just one game while Argentina are battle-hardened from playing the southern hemisphere’s Big 3 week in week out over the past two months.

“It would be fantastic to play in front of a full-house at the Aviva Stadium.  We had small crowds back in for the games in July and even that made a huge difference to the team and the atmosphere in the stadium.”

Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures at the Aviva Stadium will be televised on RTE (ROI) and Channel 4 (NI).

Ireland Squad for Autumn Internationals

Backs (18)
Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 31 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) 1 cap
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) 1 cap
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 24 caps
Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 3 caps
Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 25 caps
Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 93 caps
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 10 caps
James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 13 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 30 caps
James Lowe (Leinster) 6 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 5 caps
Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 89 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 99 caps CAPTAIN
Simon Zebo (Munster/Cork Constitution) 35 caps

Forwards (20)
Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 5 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 16 caps
Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 22 caps
Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 20 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) 2 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 19 caps
Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 9 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 49 caps
Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 109 caps
Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 63 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 22 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 45 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 76 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 1 cap
Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)*
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps

*denotes uncapped player

Development Players

Thomas Ahern (Munster/Shannon)
Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas)

Fixtures

IRELAND v Japan
Aviva Stadium , Saturday 6^th November, 2021

IRELAND v New Zealand
Aviva Stadium , Saturday 13^th November, 2021

IRELAND v Argentina
Aviva Stadium , Sunday 21^st November, 2021

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It will be the first time that Murrayfield allows fans into their stadium in almost 20 months.

The group brings together predominantly home-based players, 19 of whom featured in the 2021 Scotland summer squad which was unable to play its three intended matches due to Covid-19.

The squad is mainly made up of two of Scotland’s strongest clubs, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby.

The remaining group of 17 players is called up having returned from either the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, injury or rest, having not featured in Scotland’s disrupted summer campaign.

Lions Ali Price, Hamish Watson, and Zander Fagerson all bring their experience to the group.

In the pack, Grant Gilchrist, Stuart McInally, Fraser Brown, Nick Haining and Rob Harley are called upbringing with them a combined tally of 169 caps.

Townsend has also brought in four new faces with an uncapped quartet of three forwards and a back.

There is also a call-up for Cell C Sharks loose-forward Dylan Richardson who qualifies for Scotland through his father, who was born in Edinburgh. The 22-year-old flanker has started two URC matches this season having lined up against Munster in the opening round and Glasgow Warriors in round two and was part of the matchday 23 for the South African team’s third-round win against Ospreys.

The training squad will convene on Sunday 17th October and train on Monday 18th October at Oriam High-Performance centre outside Edinburgh

Speaking on the selection Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “It has been great to see both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors make positive starts to their URC campaigns driven by some standout performances from both young and established players.

“We are pleased with the depth we are able to call upon to make up this training squad and it provides a genuine opportunity for players to put their hand up for selection to the full Autumn Nations Series squad.”

Autumn Nations Training Squad

Forwards:

Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps

Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps

Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps

Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Dylan Richardson – Cell C Sharks – uncapped

Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps

Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps

Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps

Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps

Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps

Murray McCallum – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps

George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps

Fraser Brown – Glasgow Warriors – 54 caps

Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps

Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps

Backs:

Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Damien Hoyland – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps

Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps

Cole Forbes – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps

Matt Currie – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps

James Lang – Edinburgh Rugby – 6 caps

Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap

Jack Blain – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps

Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

Charlie Savala – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped

Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps

George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – 14 caps

Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – uncapped

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Ireland and international rugby news, click here.

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The reasoning behind the cancelling of the games which were due to be held at Twickenham, Murrayfield and Cardiff is said to be on the back of advice from the New Zealand government. New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ahern, has stated the borders of the country will remain closed to the rest of the world for a long time.

Bill Sweeney the England Rugby Football Union Chief Executive has said that the effect of the lockdown will cost the RFU over £100 million over the next year, while Wales chief executive estimates a loss of around £50 million. The biggest of the three games would of course be England v New Zealand. New Zealand of course would have been looking to for revenge in that game having lost in the World Cup semi-final to the English last year. A full house would have brought in £10 million in ticket sales, not to mention the commercial aspect of things such as bars, retail shops in Twickenham itself. Rugbypaper.co.uk report that New Zealand now intend to plan a series of Super Rugby franchises followed by a four test series against Australia. All of these games will be behind closed doors of course.

Meanwhile, plans to get the Six Nations going are well underway. The Super Saturday of Six Nations games which were due to take place on the final weekend of the Six Nations have been pencilled in for October 31st. These game involve Ireland v France, Wales v Scotland and England v Italy. Simon Haliday EPCR chairman said last week, “We, the PRO14, Gallagher Premiership and Top 14, have informed World Rugby we will exercise our right to complete the tournament on our dates in October,’’ EPCR chairman Simon Halliday said last Saturday. “We fully intend that to happen but everyone, of course, is subject to being able to play.

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