Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird and Mack Hansen are in line to make their first Test appearances in a year when Ireland face the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night. Andy Farrell was due to name his matchday 23 for Ireland v Argentina, the first of their November Tests in the Nations Championship, at 2pm on Wednesday, with the returning trio expected to feature heavily.
A year out for three key men
All three last played international rugby in the 24-13 defeat to South Africa that closed last year’s autumn series, and each missed the Six Nations and the summer tour.
Porter, the Leinster loosehead, has been battling recurring calf trouble, while Baird has recovered from two separate leg fractures. Hansen needed surgery after repeated problems with his foot, according to the Irish Times. All three have since proved their fitness and form with their provinces.
The Connacht wing is expected to start on the flank, and Porter has also been doing work at tighthead, which could give Farrell extra flexibility on the bench, The 42 reported. Baird is pushing for a start at blindside flanker.
Forwards coach Paul O’Connell said the Leinster man brings more than his set-piece skills, adding: “I know a lot of people point to his lineout stuff.” He praised Baird’s ability to plan and lead the lineout.
Back-row blow ahead of Ireland v Argentina
The returns come at a good time because the injury list is long. Caelan Doris and Jack Conan have both been ruled out of the November Tests, while Garry Ringrose has withdrawn from the squad. Jack Crowley will not be back from a vascular injury until the new year, and Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy also remain sidelined, as Balls.ie reported.
That leaves a gap at number eight, where Connacht’s Sean Jansen, who won his first two caps in July, is seen as the leading candidate, with Cian Prendergast another option.
Prendergast race against time
At out-half, Sam Prendergast has been nursing a wrist injury picked up in training a fortnight ago. Ireland’s coaches were described as optimistic he would be ready, and he has been training with the group. If he misses out, Ciarán Frawley is next in line.
Elsewhere there was good news on Tadhg Furlong, who avoided a suspension after being cited and is free to pack down alongside captain Dan Sheehan. Jamison Gibson-Park is back from a groin problem, and Tommy O’Brien is in the mix again after missing the summer series with a hamstring injury. Jamie Benson and James McNabney are in contention for Test debuts.
What to expect on Friday
Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is set for Friday evening, with Farrell hoping the return of experienced men can steady a side shorn of several regulars. Whatever the final selection, the Ireland v Argentina clash will be the first chance to see whether Porter, Baird and Hansen can pick up where they left off a year ago.
Read more: Ireland v Argentina: Prendergast wrist sweat, 48,400 tickets gone and Farrell’s two huge calls before Friday’s opener · Black Saturday for Irish rugby: Munster stunned at Thomond as Sharks win 15-3, while winless Ulster are hammered 33-7 in Cape Town
Sources: The Irish Times, The 42, Balls.ie
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