Robbie Henshaw will miss Ireland’s Argentina clash with a suspected hamstring injury, while Leinster wing Adam Byrne will make his Test debut in Dublin on Saturday.
British and Irish Lions centre Henshaw missed training on Thursday, leaving him unable to contest for selection to face the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium.
Munster’s Chris Farrell will start in the centre, winning his second cap, as Ireland bid to offset the loss of one of their top stars in Henshaw.
Robbie Henshaw will miss Ireland’s showdown with Argentina with a hamstring injury
Head coach Joe Schmidt felt the strain to Henshaw will not interfere with his domestic commitments.
‘He (Henshaw) has got a slight hamstring strain,’ said Schmidt. ‘I think at a push he could potentially have been involved.
‘But it should see him fine for what’s coming up (with Leinster), he’s got a busy period coming up.’
The former Leinster coach has taken confidence from last Saturday’s narrow 23-20 victory over Fuji, which featured a more experimental Irish line-up.
While four of Ireland’s starting backline boasting just five caps between them, Schmidt backed Munster man Farrell to cope with the added pressure as Henshaw’s temporary replacement.
‘This window was a chance to see how guys do in pressure situations.
‘Chris (Farrell) acquitted himself pretty well last week, got better as the game went on, and it’s another opportunity for him.
Henshaw missed Ireland’s training session on Thursday and is to be replaced by Chris Farrell
Chris Farrell will return for his second cap to replace the injured Henshaw at the Aviva Stadium
‘There’s a host of threats out there for Argentina so it will be a really challenging day for those outside backs.’
Schmidt has recalled a raft of frontline stars for the Argentina game following last weekend’s narrow 23-20 win over Fiji which was achieved by an experimental line-up.
James Ryan will partner Iain Henderson in a powerful second row combination, with Bundee Aki in line for his second Test start at inside centre.
Head coach Joe Schmidt insists it is going to be a difficult day for an inexperienced backline
Leinster flyer Byrne was handed his provincial debut as a 19-year-old by Schmidt, but has since had to endure two broken legs amid staccato progress to his promising career.
But now the 23-year-old has been handed the chance to step up to the next level, and boss Schmidt will be hoping his top-line pace can add extra zip to Ireland’s backline.
‘Adam Byrne has given us the confidence to include him because he’s worked really hard and has been picking things up all the time in training,’ Schmidt added.
‘With a bit of experience around him I’m hopeful he’ll have a good first hit out in an Irish jersey.’