Ireland’s home straight to World Cup starts with Pumas

Ireland open their Nations Championship Northern Series campaign against Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, facing a side that has repeatedly ended their World Cup hopes. The match offers an early measure of Ireland’s readiness for the 2027 tournament, where the teams could meet again in a quarter-final if the seedings hold.

Argentina have won all three of their World Cup meetings with Ireland, although Ireland lead their overall record with 14 wins from 20 matches and Argentina have never beaten them in Dublin. Head coach Andy Farrell says Ireland are not yet ready to head to the World Cup believing they can win it; their six defeats in the past two years have all come against New Zealand, South Africa or France, by double-digit margins. With Jack Crowley injured, Sam Prendergast starts at fly-half, while Craig Casey and Nick Timoney also start after often serving as bench options.