Ireland vs Argentina: Casey gets his chance after Farrell’s World Cup warning

Ireland face Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 6 November with Craig Casey handed the scrum-half shirt and Andy Farrell demanding improvement before next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Kick-off is 8.10pm GMT in Dublin. Ireland return to Test rugby after July’s 40-21 defeat by New Zealand, while Argentina are chasing their first away victory over the Irish.

Farrell has made clear that his side must raise their level to challenge for the 2027 title. Friday offers Casey, Nick Timoney and Sean Jansen an opportunity to strengthen their claims in a demanding November schedule.

Ireland vs Argentina kick-off time and TV channel

The Nations Championship match is live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK, with STV and STV Player carrying coverage in Scotland. ITV1 coverage begins at 7.15pm.

In the Republic of Ireland, Virgin Media One coverage starts at 7.30pm, with streaming on Virgin Media Player. The broadcast listings for Ireland against Argentina confirm the 8.10pm start.

Match detail	Information
Date	Friday 6 November 2026
Venue	Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off	8.10pm GMT
Competition	Nations Championship
UK coverage	ITV1 / ITVX; STV / STV Player in Scotland
Republic of Ireland coverage	Virgin Media One / Virgin Media Player

Our rugby on TV guide covers the rest of the weekend’s broadcasts.

Casey and Timoney get their chance to change Ireland’s pecking order

Casey starts ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park, while Timoney takes the openside role with Josh van der Flier also on the bench. Farrell wants both starters to take responsibility as he develops his options for Australia.

As Farrell explained when naming the team: “If ever a player feels comfortable, we’re failing the group”.

The selections give Ireland experienced alternatives from the bench without denying the starters a meaningful opportunity. How Casey controls the tempo and Timoney competes at the breakdown will help determine whether they keep those shirts.

Sam Prendergast has recovered from a wrist concern to partner Casey. Jansen starts at number eight with Caelan Doris and Jack Conan injured, while Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird and Mack Hansen return to the starting side. Dan Sheehan captains Ireland.

Ireland team against Argentina

Starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan; 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Mack Hansen; 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 6 Ryan Baird, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Sean Jansen.

Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O’Toole, 18 Sam Illo, 19 James Ryan, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki.

Argentina team and the threat facing Ireland

Felipe Contepomi has selected Gonzalo García and Tomás Albornoz at half-back, with Juan Martín González, Marcos Kremer and Pablo Matera in the back row. Julián Montoya captains the visitors.

Starting XV: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía; 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Justo Piccardo, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras; 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo García; 1 Boris Wenger, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 3 Francisco Moreno, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 6 Juan Martín González, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Pablo Matera.

Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efraín Elías, 20 Juan Martín Scelzo, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 23 Lucio Cinti.

The confirmed matchday teams show the experience Ireland must contend with. Argentina also have Shaun Edwards working on their defence and can draw confidence from beating Farrell’s British and Irish Lions at this venue in 2025.

Ireland vs Argentina head-to-head: home record meets World Cup history

Ireland have won 14 of the previous 20 Tests and all 11 played on Irish soil. Their most recent meeting ended in a 22-19 Ireland victory in November 2024.

Argentina’s World Cup record against Ireland is stronger, with three wins from four meetings. However, Ireland did win their 2003 pool match 16-15 in Adelaide.

World Cup	Stage	Result
1999	Quarter-final play-off	Argentina 28-24 Ireland
2003	Pool stage	Ireland 16-15 Argentina
2007	Pool stage	Argentina 30-15 Ireland
2015	Quarter-final	Argentina 43-20 Ireland

What Farrell needs to see before the World Cup

Farrell’s demand for improvement in “every area” sets the standard for a month that also brings home games against Fiji and South Africa, followed by a Nations Championship finals fixture at Twickenham.

Our report on Farrell’s World Cup warning explains why he wants Ireland to deliver consistently across consecutive weekends.

For Friday, the test is immediate: can Ireland’s changed combinations produce a controlled performance against an experienced Argentina side? A home win would protect their unbeaten record in this fixture on Irish soil. Strong performances from the players stepping into starting roles would give Farrell something valuable beyond the result.