Prendergast clears wrist injury to start at fly-half as Ireland face Argentina

Sam Prendergast has been declared fit to start at fly-half for Ireland in their Nations Championship round-four fixture against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, overcoming a wrist injury that had threatened his involvement.

The 23-year-old sustained the injury ahead of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship derby with Munster, raising concerns about his readiness for the Northern Series. He has been passed fit and will partner Craig Casey at half-back, with Jamison Gibson-Park — his Leinster club-mate — covering Casey from the bench. Ciaran Frawley is named as the replacement fly-half.

With Caelan Doris absent, Dan Sheehan captains the side. The match will also mark the first start for number eight Sean Jansen, who made his Ireland debut over the summer, while Connacht prop Sam Illo is in line for a home debut off the bench. Tadhg Furlong, who escaped a ban last week, starts at tighthead.

Ireland XV: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Mack Hansen; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Sam Illo, James Ryan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.