Ireland name Casey, Timoney and Jansen in starting side as Argentina recall Albornoz

Ireland have named Craig Casey, Nick Timoney and Sean Jansen in their starting team for the Nations Championship match against Argentina, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier among the replacements. BBC Sport reported the selections on Wednesday as Andy Farrell confirmed his side for Friday's game at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

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Jansen takes the number eight position with Caelan Doris and Jack Conan unavailable through injury. Casey partners Sam Prendergast, who has recovered from a wrist problem, at half-back. Timoney starts at openside flanker alongside Ryan Baird and Jansen, while Dan Sheehan captains the team from hooker in Doris' absence.

Mack Hansen, Andrew Porter and Baird return to Ireland's starting line-up after missing both the Six Nations and the summer Nations Championship fixtures through injury. BBC Sport said none of the three had appeared for Ireland since November 2025. Robbie Henshaw partners Stuart McCloskey in midfield, with Garry Ringrose ruled out by a hamstring problem.

Argentina's announcement included the return of fly-half Tomas Albornoz, whose last appearance came in July. RugbyPass reported that he had served a four-match suspension for misconduct. He has been selected alongside scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia, while Santiago Chocobares and Justo Piccardo form the centre partnership. Juan Cruz Mallia was named at full-back, with Mateo Carreras and Bautista Delguy on the wings.

Felipe Contepomi has selected a starting XV with a combined 750 international caps, according to RugbyPass. Captain Julian Montoya, lock Guido Petti and number eight Pablo Matera have each passed 100 Test appearances. Matera replaces the injured Joaquin Oviedo, joining Juan Martin Gonzalez and Marcos Kremer in the back row, while Petti partners Pedro Rubiolo at lock.

The Argentina selections follow a sequence of defeats by South Africa and Australia and a draw with the Wallabies. Contepomi acknowledged inconsistency when addressing reporters, while maintaining that his team was progressing. Eight of his selected starters also began Argentina's previous match in Dublin in 2024, when they lost 22-19 after trailing 22-9 at half-time, RugbyPass reported.