Ireland hope for reprieve against Pumas

Ireland conclude their autumn series against Argentina today hoping to end a disappointing month with victory over their fierce rivals.

Freezing conditions have greeted both teams, with the Aviva Stadium passing a pitch inspection this morning despite heavy snowfall over the last 48 hours.

Ireland’s inexperienced front row of Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tony Buckley are sure to be tested by a grizzled Pumas pack that contains stalwarts such as Rodrigo Roncero and Mario Ledesma.

Jonathan Sexton and Peter Stringer combine in a new-look half-back partnership while former Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi directs operations for Argentina.

Ireland: Murphy, Bowe, B. O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Trimble, Sexton, Stringer, Healy, Cronin, Buckley, O’Callaghan, M. O’Driscoll, Ferris, D. Wallace, Heaslip.

Replacements: Varley, Court, Toner, Leamy, Reddan, O’Gara, Earls.

Argentina: Rodriguez, Agulla, Tiesi, Bosch, Gonzalez Amorosino, Contepomi, Vergallo, Roncero, Ledesma, Scelzo, Galarza, Albacete, Fessia, Farias Cabello, Fernandez Lobbe.

Replacements: Creevy, Ayerza, Figallo, Guzman, Galindo, Lalanne, Borges.

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa).