Ireland v Argentina Robert Baloucoune comes in as Farrell makes four changes

over 3 years in The Irish Times

Autumn Series Test: Ireland v Argentina
Kick-off: 2.15pm, Sunday. Venue: Aviva Stadium. How to follow: The Irish Times liveblog will begin at 1.45pm. On TV: Live on RTÉ2.
Andy Farrell has made four changes from the side that beat the All Blacks for Sunday’s concluding Autumn Series Test against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 2.15pm), with 24-year-old Enniskillen flyer Robert Baloucoune set to win his second cap on the right wing.
As expected, there is a new half-back combination behind an unchanged pack. Joey Carbery, in just his ninth Test start, is partnered by the recalled Conor Murray in light of the injuries which have ruled out Johnny Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park. It was conceivable that Carbery, and perhaps Murray too, would have started this game anyway.
The fourth change sees the fit-again Robbie Henshaw restored alongside Garry Ringrose in midfield for the former’s first outing since the Lions’ third Test in South Africa after overcoming the foot injury which has delayed his seasonal re-appearance.
A strong selection is a measure of the respect Farrell and co hold for the threat posed by Argentina, while it is also a sign of the high regard they have for Baloucoune that he has been afforded this opportunity ahead not only of Andrew Conway, but Jordan Larmour and Simon Zebo as well.
Baloucoune’s acceleration, ability to change direction either way at full tilt and his eye for the line were in evidence when he scored the opening try on his debut against the USA last July.
There are four other changes to the matchday 23 on the bench, where a quartet of players aged 23 or under have been promoted. The 22-year-old half-back pair of Craig Casey and Harry Byrne are in line to win their fourth and second caps respectively. Born three days apart in April 2009, Casey and Byrne started together in two of Ireland’s five games in the 2019 under-20 Grand Slam-winning campaign, but it probably would have been more, and conceivably all five, but for injuries to both.
In addition, after winning his first cap off the bench against Japan a fortnight ago, the 23-year-old Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan has been recalled ahead of Rob Herring as more of a like for like replacement for Ronan Kelleher. The 23-year-old Ulster tighthead Tom O’Toole has also been promoted to the replacements.
While the spirit and quality of training in camp has been “through the roof” according to Keith Earls, it means 11 players from the original 39-man will be disappointed not to have featured, namely David Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Coombes, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume, Ciaran Frawley and the aforementioned Larmour and Zebo.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD), Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen), Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers), James Lowe (Leinster); Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf), Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen); Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD), Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf), Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy), James Ryan (Leinster/UCD), Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College), Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD), Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne), Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf), Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne), Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution), Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon), Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne), Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster).

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