Match Preview: Ireland v Argentina

Ireland will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing loss against New Zealand when Felipe Contepomi’s Pumas come to Dublin.
Ireland and Argentina have met 19 times at Test level, dating back to their first encounter in 1990.

Ireland hold the upper hand with 13 wins, including an unbeaten record in all 10 home games. Their latest home victory was a dominant 53-7 win over Los Pumas in the 2021 Autumn Nations Series. Yet Argentina have managed to make their mark, especially on the world stage, where they have claimed three out of their four World Cup clashes against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Argentina arrive with morale and spirits high after a thumping 50-18 victory over Italy in Udine where they ran in seven tries.

Argentina also had a successful 2024 Rugby Championship, securing wins over all competing teams and even challenging for the title before narrowly falling short to South Africa.

Speaking about Los Pumas, Ireland Captain Caelan Doris said, “We know that Argentina are a proper team and a proper test and they’ve shown that with some of their wins over the year and their development under Felipe [Contepomi].

“They’ve obviously been a top-class team for the last number of years, being in three of the last four World Cup semi-finals but I think they’ve gone up to another level under Felipe so we’re definitely aware that it’s going to be a big challenge.

“There’s also excitement at being back in the Aviva to get back to ourselves because we felt we weren’t ourselves last Friday.”

Team News

Andy Farrell has made one change to the starting XV with Robbie Henshaw in to parnter Garry Ringrose. There are two uncapped players on the bench with Sam Prendergast and Thomas Clarkson set for their first senior international cap. Craig Casey and Ryan Baird also come into the 23.

Cian Healy is set to equal the all-time Ireland cap record of 133 appearances when he comes on tonight.

For Argentina experienced flanker Pablo Matera returns to the side following suspension, while Bordeaux-Begles’ lock Guido Petti is restored to the second row while Matias Moroni comes in at centre for Matias Orlando.