In the forwards, Jerry Flannery starts at hooker for the first time since last year's summer tour. Malcolm Oâ00Kelly also returns to the side after missing the entire RBS 6 Nations championship due to injury. In the back row, Jamie Heaslip will make his second start for Ireland at number 8. He will be flanked by Neil Best and the experienced Keith Gleeson. The team will be captained by Simon Best for the first time.
Ireland coach Eddie Oâ00Sullivan said: â00This tour is about allowing players to challenge for the World Cup squad and it starts this weekend in the first Test against Argentina. Players have to put their hands up over the next two weeks to put their case forward. Now that might put pressure on players, but there is no more pressurised an environment than international rugby and the World Cup, so this will be a good test for them.â0
IRELAND TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v Argentina, Estadio Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario, Santa Fe, Saturday, May 26, kick-off 4.10pm (8.10pm Irish time)):
- Player/Club/Province/Caps -
15 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht) 4 caps
14 - Brian Carney (Clonakilty/Munster) 0
13 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 14
12 - Kieran Lewis (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 1
11 - Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 8
10 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster) 3
9 - Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster) 7
1 - Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster) 5
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster) 14
3 - Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) (capt) 16
4 - Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster) 3
5 - Malcolm O'Kelly (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 83
6 - Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 10
7 - Keith Gleeson (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 25
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster) 1
Replacements:
16 - Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster) 2
17 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster) 0
18 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster) 9
19 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster) 1
20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster) 0
21 - Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers) 46
22 - Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster) 0