“It is time to find out about him.”
Irish rugby supporters learned all about hubris back in 2019, so there is a cautious optimism about the place ahead of this Sunday’s Test encounter with Argentina.
Andy Farrell’s men beat New Zealand 29-20, on Saturday, to pick up their seventh consecutive win. The team are in good shape and stringing together attacking performances that are seeing pace, directness and bold strategies rewarded.
Up next are an Argentina squad crammed full of quality names, but ones that are just off a seven-game streak of their own. Mario Ledesma’s side lost all six of their Rugby Championship games, this year, before starting their Autumn Nations Series with a loss to France. They grabbed a much-needed win, to snap the slide, against Italy at the weekend.
On the latest House of Rugby URC [LISTEN from 31:30 below] Greg O’Shea, Megan Williams and Jason Hennessy were joined by Leinster and Argentina legend Felipe Contepomi to preview the big game, and talk team selections.
Joey Carbery set to get chance against Argentina
The one chance we definitely know is coming will be at outhalf. Johnny Sexton has been ruled out for ‘four to six weeks’ with knee and ankle issues, so the 10 jersey is up for grabs.
Contepomi has worked closely with Harry Byrne, as Leinster backs coach, and is a big supporter of the young outhalf. He is a fan of Joey Carbery, too, and says any Test chance the Munster 10 gets, he needs to convincingly grasp.
The hamstring of Jamison Gibson-Park was heavily strapped, at the weekend, so Andy Farrell may simply opt to pair Carbery with his provincial teammate, Conor Murray. Craig Casey is also is the squad, but may play back-up on Sunday.
To me, this Saturday’s game is the perfect opportunity to give game-time to some other squad members while keeping in a handful of players that ran through Japan and New Zealand. The injury to Sexton means James Ryan will probably start, although Peter O’Mahony could step in as captain if Farrell wanted to rest
Our team includes eight changes from the one that started in the 29-20 win over the All Blacks. Ciarán Frawley at inside centre is the big shout, and Farrell may yet opt to go Bundee Aki there if he wants to give Carbery a familiar face outside. Simon Zebo is on our bench with James Lowe retaining the 11 jersey.
Our Ireland team to face Argentina
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Jordan Larmour
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Ciarán Frawley*
11. James Lowe
10. Joey Carbery
9. Conor Murray1. Cian Healy
2. Rob Herring
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Subs: Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Jack Carty, Simon Zebo.
Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team to face Argentina on Friday afternoon.
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