Ireland will be hoping to bounce back from a first home defeat since the 2021 Six Nations as they host Argentina in Dublin as the Autumn Nations Series continues.
Andy Farrell’s side were beaten by New Zealand last Friday after producing a strangely sloppy performance, and face another significant challenge against a Pumas side in flying form. Farrell has made minimal changes to his starting line-up as he backs his experienced squad to go again and correct the errors of a week ago.
Argentina are overseen by former Leinster player and coach Felipe Contepomi, who has enjoyed an excellent year since stepping up to a head coaching role. The Pumas pushed South Africa for the title to the final weekend of the Rugby Championship and thrashed an ever-improving Italy in their November opener last Saturday. Can they cause a shock here?
Follow all the latest from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:
Ireland vs Argentina LIVE
Ireland host Argentina in Dublin, live on TNT Sports
6’ TRY! Hansen adds another five from the wing (IRE 12-0 ARG)
4’ TRY! Crowley scores first try after Moroni yellow card (IRE 7-0 ARG)
Andy Farrell’s side suffered a first home defeat in three years against the All Blacks last weekend
The Pumas beat Italy in their Autumn Nations Series opener
Ireland 15-6 Argentina
20:40 , Mike Jones
23 mins: It’s smart play from the Irish fly-half. There’s a bit of breathing space on the scoreboard now and Ireland will know Argentina’s forward line will come at them at the earliest opportunity.
Ireland 15-6 Argentina
20:38 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Oh wow! Ireland mess up their lineout and are forced deeper and deeper down the field. The ball comes to Jack Crowley who decides to kick.
He smokes a drop goal and sends it fizzing between the sticks to add three more points.
Ireland 12-6 Argentina
20:37 , Mike Jones
20 mins: Ireland’s discipline has dropped off slightly as the game becomes more physically tasking. Argentina give up a penalty for a foul on Hansen.
Crowley kicks for touch and this is another good chance for the hosts to put some pressure on.
Ireland 12-6 Argentina
20:34 , Mike Jones
17 mins: Finlay Bealham is shown a yellow card for a croc-rolling tackle which is illegal. Ireland are now down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
Tomas Albornoz is going to kick for goal. He makes it! Argentina are within one score again.
Ireland 12-3 Argentina
20:31 , Mike Jones
15 mins: The hosts are really trying to make their presence felt. Plenty of heavy runs into the defenders which are wearing the Pumas down.
Robbie Henshaw sweeps a superb pass out to the left wing as Ireland get an overload. Tadhg Beirne lunges for the try zone but spills the ball in a knock on as he attempts to ground it.
Goalline drop out to Argentina.
Ireland 12-3 Argentina
20:26 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Moroni’s yellow card hasn’t been upgraded. An offside from Ireland awards Argentina the chance to kick for goal and fly-half Tomas Albornoz takes it with aplomb.
Straight down the middle and the Pumas get their first points on the board.
Ireland 12-0 Argentina
20:24 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Ireland have taken a fine lead early on in this match and they’ve got a player advantage at present. Argentina have won themselves a scrum inside the Irish half though and look hungry to get on the attack.
It’s fed in before Joaquin Oviedo recovers the ball. The Pumas look for a gap in the line but are bullied backwards by a strong defence from the Irish.
TRY! Ireland 12-0 Argentina (Mack hansen, 6 mins)
20:21 , Mike Jones
Garry Ringrose scoops up a loose ball then breaks through the Argentina line. He flies up the pitch but doesn’t have the legs to get over the line.
Ireland launch the ball over to the left wing where it’s offloaded to Mack Hansen who dives over the line.
TRY! Ireland 7-0 Argentina (Jack Crowley, 4 mins)
20:18 , Mike Jones
Ireland kick for touch and fling the lineout into play. Quick passing sends the ball out to Ronan Kelleher who sprints for the line but gets held up.
Ireland aren’t giving it up. From the ruck the ball is passed over to Crowley who dances inside of an attempted tackle and jumps for the line!
He converts as well.
Ireland 0-0 Argentina
20:16 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Ireland look to sneak over the line from the left wing but Crowley goes down and the ball comes loose. Rodrigo Isgro snatches it up and Argentina sweep quickly up the pitch.
The Pumas get over the ball over the line for the first try of the match but the referee has asked to get the TMO involved.
They’re looking at the tackle from Matias Moroni on Crowley, the try is going to get ruled out and Ireland will win a penalty for a foul.
Moroni is also sent to the sin bin.
Kick off! Ireland 0-0 Argentina
20:12 , Mike Jones
Jack Crowley kicks off the match and Ireland drive up the pitch with intense pressure. They charge down an initial kick and turn over the ball deep inside Argentina’s half.
What a start.
Ireland v Argentina
20:04 , Mike Jones
Here come the players.
There’s a nervous tension around the stadium after Ireland were beaten by New Zealand last time out. It was a poor performance from Andy Farrell’s side but they’ve never been beaten in Dublin by Argentina and will feel confident about rediscovering their form.
Prendergast ‘ready’ says Farrell
20:00 , Mike Jones
The uncapped Sam Prendergast looks set to make his debut for Ireland tonight having replaced Ciaran Frawley on the bench.
“He’s ready,” Andy Farrell said of 21-year-old.
“For a young fella who has not had much game time provincially, he’s obviously had more of late, but in an ironic way he’s been patient enough because in his own mind he’s thought he’s been ready for quite some time. He’s that type of kid, he’s confident.
“The experience he’s had around the squad, he’s a lot more comfortable in his own skin. The reason for taking him on the Emerging [Ireland] tour was to make sure he understood what it was to grab hold of his team and show that he’s in charge and he showed that in abundance.
“We’ve seen the knock-on effect of that in the squad the past couple of weeks.”
Ireland vs Argentina match officials
19:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referee 1: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (England)
The remarkable rise of Argentina, rugby’s great outlier
19:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Can Argentina produce another landmark moment after a 2024 of real progress? During the Rugby Championship, The Independent took a look at why rugby’s great outlier stand on the brink of history:
The remarkable story of Argentina, rugby’s great outlier
Felipe Contepomi insists Argentina only have ‘slim’ chance
19:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Head coach Felipe Contepomi says Argentina have only a “slim” chance of toppling Ireland as he bids to mastermind another impressive scalp on his return to Dublin.
Former Leinster fly-half Contepomi has guided Los Pumas to a series of statement results in 2024, winning away to New Zealand, in addition to beating France, Australia and world champions South Africa.
Andy Farrell’s hosts go into their second autumn fixture on the back of a deflating 23-13 defeat to the All Blacks.
Yet Contepomi, who guided his side to a record 50-18 win away to Italy last weekend, insists producing an upset at the Aviva Stadium will be a tall order.
Asked if he sensed an opportunity based on Ireland’s previous outing, the 47-year-old said: “No, no, not at all.
“We know it’s a slim opportunity but it’s there. Every game starts from zero.
“What happened in the last game is nothing to do with what’s going to happen on Friday.”
Caelan Doris urges Ireland to relish ‘pressure’ against Argentina
19:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Captain Caelan Doris wants Ireland to bring an extra edge against Argentina following the frustration of their disheartening defeat to New Zealand.
The number eight admits Andy Farrell’s starting XV have “pressure to perform” after 14 of the players who began the 23-13 loss to the All Blacks were retained.
Caelan Doris urges Ireland to relish ‘pressure’ against Argentina
Argentina team news
19:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Felipe Contepomi makes three changes to the Argentina side that beat Italy, with vice captain Pablo Matera recalled on the flank after serving a suspension and a returning Guido Petti also adding back five ballast in the pack. Matias Moroni takes the place of Matias Orlando at inside centre, while the versatile Santiago Carreras has recovered sufficiently from a calf issue to offer fly half and full-back cover on a bench that also includes uncapped centre Justo Piccardo.
Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 3 Joel Sclavi; 4 Guido Petti, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Joaquin Oviedo; 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Tomas Albornoz; 11 Bautista Delguy, 12 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rodrigo Isgro; 15 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Santiago Grondona; 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Justo Piccardo.
Ireland team news
19:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is just a single change to the Ireland starting team despite defeat to New Zealand as Robbie Henshaw steps in for Bundee Aki at inside centre. Of greater intrigue is a bench reshuffle that sees a promising Leinster pair in prop Thomas Clarkson and fly half Sam Prendergast primed for debuts; at the other end of the experience spectrum, club colleague Cian Healy will match the record cap tally of Brian O’Driscoll if he makes his 133rd appearance for Ireland.
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (captain); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Peter O’Mahony; 21 Craig Casey, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Jamie Osborne.
Team news…
19:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, with kick off in Dublin rapidly approaching, let’s take a closer look at those two line-ups…
Ireland vs Argentina talking points: Pumas ready to pounce?
18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have never beaten Ireland in Dublin but are well capable of snapping that statistic. Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi has extensive inside knowledge of the hosts having spent a decade with Leinster as a player and a coach. The 47-year-old, who succeeded Michael Cheika following last year’s fourth-placed finish at the World Cup, has also masterminded some impressive results. Argentina, who sit fifth in the Test rankings – above Scotland, England and Wales, have already beaten France, New Zealand and world champions South Africa in 2024.
Ireland vs Argentina talking points: History awaits Cian Healy
18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A sizeable chunk of Ireland’s autumn squad were still at primary school when Cian Healy made his Test debut against Australia in 2009. Fifteen years on, the veteran prop is poised to make history by moving alongside former team-mate Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s most-capped player. Having largely provided back-up for first-choice loosehead Andrew Porter during the Farrell era, the 37-year-old will win the 133rd cap of his career, if he is brought on from the bench. “He’s been a legend of our squad for all these years and he continues to be so,” said Farrell.
Ireland vs Argentina talking points: Can hosts bounce back?
18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The All Blacks defeat was a sour start to the autumn for Ireland. Following a big billing and plenty of expectation, a capacity Aviva Stadium crowd was largely subdued as the below-par hosts slipped to a first home loss in more than three years. Ireland are determined to bounce back – and have a track record of doing so. Only once during the reign of head coach Farrell, which spans 51 games, have they been beaten twice in a row: defeats to Wales and France at the start of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
Top rugby stars ‘sign up for IPL and Formula 1 inspired breakaway competition’
18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
News broke yesterday of a potential breakaway rugby competition that could revolutionise the sport. The Independent understands that while discussions have taken place, they are at a “very, very early” stage.
Here’s the full story:
Top rugby stars ‘sign up for IPL and Formula 1 inspired breakaway competition’
Ireland ready for Argentina after All Blacks loss let people down – Andy Farrell
17:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Andy Farrell believes taking on Argentina will be the “perfect” test of Ireland’s character after they “let a few people down” during a deflating defeat to the All Blacks.
The Six Nations champions were dealt a reality check at the start of their autumn campaign when New Zealand capitalised on a raft of errors to become the first visiting team to triumph in Dublin in more than three years.
Head coach Farrell has kept faith with 14 of the 15 players who started the underwhelming 23-13 loss as his side prepare to host a dangerous Pumas side at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland ready for Argentina after All Blacks loss let people down – Andy Farrell
Argentina recall Pablo Matera
17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina have recalled flanker Pablo Matera as part of three changes to their starting XV for Friday’s Autumn Nations Series match against Ireland in Dublin.
Vice-captain Matera, who was suspended for last week’s 50-18 win over Italy, and lock Guido Petti replace Santiago Grondona and Franco Molina in the Pumas’ forward pack.
Matias Moroni comes in at inside centre for Matias Orlando in the other alteration, while there is no place in the match-day squad for Connacht back Santiago Cordero.
Cordero came off the bench to score the fifth of Argentina’s seven tries during their record win over the Azzurri in Udine.
Cian Healy set to equal Ireland cap record as Robbie Henshaw recalled to take on Argentina
17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Cian Healy is set to move alongside Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s most-capped international after being named among the replacements for the clash with Argentina.
Leinster prop Healy, who made his debut against Australia in November 2009, will win his 133rd Test cap, if he comes off the bench at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Centre Robbie Henshaw has been selected ahead of Bundee Aki in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV following last week’s 23-13 loss to New Zealand.
Cian Healy set to equal Ireland cap record as Robbie Henshaw recalled for Argentina
Ireland vs Argentina LIVE
11:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A very good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the opening match of another blockbuster weekend of Autumn Nations Series rugby action.
Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium a week on from a first defeat at the venue for three and a half years hoping to correct the errors made against New Zealand. But watch out for a visiting Argentina side who continued their impressive year so far with a 50-18 drubbing of Italy in Udine in their November opener.
Kick off is at 8.10pm GMT.
