Andy Farrell has some significant selection calls to make as Ireland prepare to welcome Argentina to the Aviva Stadium on Friday, November 6.

Injuries have opened the door in several key positions, while the countdown to next year’s World Cup adds another layer to the Ireland head coach’s thinking.

From replacing two established number eights to settling on his midfield combination, here are three areas that could shape his team for the Nations Championship clash.

Number eight

With Caelan Doris and Jack Conan both sidelined, Farrell must look beyond his two established options at the back of the scrum.

Sean Jansen looks particularly well placed to benefit. The Connacht forward made a try-scoring, player-of-the-match debut against Japan during the summer before earning his second cap off the bench against New Zealand.

Regular rugby at number eight for Connacht strengthens his case, offering Farrell a specialist in the position rather than requiring a reshuffle elsewhere in the back row.

Nick Timoney is another strong contender, while Cian Prendergast and uncapped Ulster forward James McNabney also have experience at the base of the scrum.

Timoney would bring greater international experience than Jansen, while choosing Prendergast at eight could allow Farrell to accommodate Ryan Baird at blindside alongside Josh van der Flier.

Jansen, though, has a considerable opportunity to turn his promising summer introduction into a more prominent Ireland role.

Out-half

What appeared to be a straightforward opportunity for Sam Prendergast has become a potentially awkward decision.

Jack Crowley and Harry Byrne are already unavailable through injury, and Prendergast’s wrist problem has raised doubts over his involvement against Argentina.

The Leinster playmaker missed Saturday’s meeting with Munster, with Leo Cullen describing his recovery as a “day by day” issue. Ringrose also missed that game with a hamstring problem.

If Prendergast is fit, he would have a strong claim to retain the number ten jersey. If he falls short, Ciaran Frawley looks the most obvious alternative.

Frawley started Ireland’s summer win over Japan and now has the chance to make a more sustained case for the position following his move to Connacht.

Jamie Benson provides another option. The uncapped Ulster back can cover out-half and centre, but asking him to direct Ireland’s attack against Argentina on debut would represent a significant step up.

Farrell’s decision may ultimately depend on Prendergast’s fitness, but Frawley has an opportunity to make this a selection debate rather than simply an injury-enforced change.

Centre

The midfield presents both an immediate concern and a longer-term question.

Ringrose’s hamstring issue leaves Farrell waiting on the fitness of his established outside centre, while Bundee Aki’s advancing career means Ireland must continue developing alternatives at inside centre.

Aki remains a major option, and retirement has not been announced. However, with his current contract running through the 2026/27 season, Farrell must balance what he offers now with preparing the midfield combinations Ireland may need beyond him.

Robbie Henshaw’s ability to play in either centre position gives Ireland an experienced solution if Ringrose is unavailable. Stuart McCloskey offers a direct option at twelve, while Jamie Osborne brings another possible route.

An Aki-Henshaw partnership would provide considerable experience. McCloskey alongside Henshaw would offer another established combination, while selecting Osborne would give Farrell the chance to invest further in a younger midfield option.

Frawley could also enter the conversation at centre, although Ireland’s injury situation at out-half may dictate where he is needed most.

The question is whether Farrell leans on familiar combinations against Argentina or uses the opening November fixture to give a different partnership the chance to establish itself.

If you’re viewing this article from Facebook, please give the post a like or leave a comment so you keep seeing our content in your feed. 💪