By Salma El-Sakka
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named Craig Casey, Nick Timoney and Sean Jansen in the starting XV for Friday's Nations Championship clash against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Ireland lineup changes
With captain Caelan Doris and Jack Conan sidelined by injury, Jansen earns his second start at number eight after a try-scoring debut against Japan in July. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, returning from a groin injury, drops to the bench as Casey partners fly-half Sam Prendergast, who has recovered from a wrist problem. Timoney, 31, makes his first start in a run of nine consecutive Tests, displacing former World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier.
Backline and forward adjustments
Robbie Henshaw moves to outside centre in place of the injured Garry Ringrose, forming a midfield partnership with Stuart McCloskey. Mack Hansen, Andrew Porter and Ryan Baird all return after missing the Six Nations and summer fixtures through injury. Hansen starts on the left wing in Ireland's first home game since James Lowe's departure, while Baird packs down at blindside flanker alongside Timoney and Jansen. Porter's return at loosehead prop alongside hooker Dan Sheehan, who captains the side, and tighthead Tadhg Furlong bolsters the front row. Furlong is available after being cleared by a disciplinary committee of an alleged groin grab last month.
Bench and Argentina changes
James Ryan, Van der Flier and Gibson-Park provide experienced options among the replacements. Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made 12 changes from the side that drew 28-28 with Australia in September, with full-back Juan Cruz Mallia returning after a year out through injury.
