Ireland’s November campaign kicks off in just four days, and the biggest question hanging over the camp is whether Sam Prendergast’s wrist will hold up in time. The Leinster out-half has been racing to be fit for Friday night’s Nations Championship opener against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium, and Ireland’s coaches say the signs are good, but not guaranteed.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of a week that also brings Andy Farrell’s first team selection of the autumn.
Prendergast: ‘he looks like he could be OK’
Prendergast, 23, hurt his wrist in Leinster training before the squad gathered last weekend and has been working with Ireland’s medical staff since. He has returned to training in recent days, and the IRFU said the coaching team are optimistic he will be available, The 42 reported.
Speaking on Sunday, forwards coach Paul O’Connell said the out-half had been tracking well and looked comfortable in training, but stopped short of a guarantee. “He looks like he could be okay,” O’Connell said, according to The Irish Times.
If Prendergast does not make it, Connacht’s Ciarán Frawley is the man in line to start at 10, with uncapped Ulster utility back Jamie Benson another option. Jack Crowley is among the long list of absentees, with uncertainty over his recovery from a vascular issue, The 42 noted.
There was better news on Jimmy O’Brien. The Leinster back has recovered from the head injury he picked up against Munster, has passed return-to-play protocols and is back in full training. O’Connell described the squad as having very few players on the sidelines this week.
Farrell’s big calls at 6 and 13
Captain Dan Sheehan leads the side in the absence of the injured Caelan Doris, and with Garry Ringrose ruled out and Jack Conan also missing, Farrell has holes to fill.
At outside centre, Robbie Henshaw is the obvious next man up after a sharp start for Leinster, but Jamie Osborne, who wore 13 against Georgia in 2025, and Bundee Aki are both in the conversation, according to The 42’s analysis. Stuart McCloskey is expected to stay at 12.
Blindside is even more crowded. Ryan Baird, who held the jersey last November before getting injured against South Africa, is back in contention. Tadhg Beirne could shift from the second row, Connacht captain Cian Prendergast has been in strong form, and uncapped Ulsterman James McNabney is described as an exciting option. O’Connell insisted the depth made selection “not hard”.
Elsewhere, Connacht’s Sean Jansen looks set for a major chance at No 8, Mack Hansen could make his first Ireland start since last November after foot problems, and Jamison Gibson-Park is back from a groin injury. Tadhg Furlong, cleared at a disciplinary hearing last week, is expected at tighthead with Andrew Porter returning on the other side of the scrum.
Packed Aviva on a Friday night
Demand is strong. The IRFU says more than 48,400 tickets have already been sold for the 51,700-capacity stadium, with remaining seats starting at €136.60, The 42 reported. Kick-off is at 8.10pm on Friday 6 November, according to The Irish Times.
Argentina, coached by former Leinster favourite Felipe Contepomi, have endured a difficult 2026 and played fewer Tests than usual this year. But O’Connell warned of an all-court game built on physical carrying, a strong set-piece and a good kicking game, and pointed out the Pumas have added experienced coaches to their ticket.
What happens next
Farrell names his matchday 23 on Wednesday afternoon, when the Prendergast verdict should become clear. After Argentina, Ireland host Fiji at the Aviva on Saturday 14 November and South Africa on Saturday 21 November, before a Nations Championship play-off at Twickenham on the weekend of 27-29 November.
For fans heading to Lansdowne Road, Friday’s late kick-off means a busy evening on public transport, so plan your journey home in advance. TV details for Irish viewers should be confirmed by broadcasters this week.
Sources
- The 42: 48,400 tickets sold as Ireland remain ‘optimistic’ on Prendergast (1 November 2026)
- The Irish Times: Sam Prendergast expected to be fit for Ireland’s game against Argentina (1 November 2026)
- The 42: Farrell’s calls at numbers 6 and 13 most interesting for Ireland (1 November 2026)
- The 42: Uncapped Ulster duo included in Farrell’s Ireland squad (21 October 2026)
Featured image: The Aviva Stadium – Lansdowne Road, Dublin (5436326251) by William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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