Cian Healy Set to Equal Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland Cap Record

Five-time Six Nations champion Cian Healy is poised to match Brian O’Driscoll’s tally of 133 Ireland caps if he is deployed from the bench this Friday. The Autumn Nations Series fixture between Ireland and Argentina will take place at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday, 15 November, with kick-off scheduled for 20:10 GMT. Coverage will be available via commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and BBC Radio Foyle, alongside live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Cian Healy is expected to equal Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland cap record after being named among the substitutes for Friday’s autumn international against Argentina, a match that will also see Sam Prendergast and Thomas Clarkson make their initial appearances. The 37-year-old prop will reach the same number of appearances as the former Ireland captain, 133, should he be introduced against the Pumas. Head coach Andy Farrell has chosen not to implement extensive alterations following last week’s defeat by New Zealand, with Robbie Henshaw’s inclusion at inside centre over Bundee Aki – who is not in the squad – representing the sole change to the starting lineup. Prop Clarkson and fly-half Prendergast are prepared to earn their first caps, having been selected among the replacements. Argentina announced their squad earlier on Wednesday, with head coach Felipe Contepomi making three adjustments from last weekend’s decisive victory over Italy. Friday’s 23-13 loss to the All Blacks marked Ireland’s third defeat in their last five matches, but Farrell has offered his squad an opportunity to redeem themselves after an underperforming display that featured 21 handling errors and 13 penalties conceded. Fly-half Jack Crowley, who was substituted after 58 minutes, remains in the lineup alongside Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs, supporting the all-Leinster centre partnership of Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. While Crowley retains the number 10 shirt, Leinster’s Prendergast, 21, is afforded an opportunity to make an impression at out-half, following his strong performances in the recent Emerging Ireland series in South Africa. Ciaran Frawley, who replaced Crowley against the All Blacks, is not included. “For Tom and Sam, their promotion to the match day squad for the first time is testament to their form, talent and application over the last number of weeks and we congratulate them on their selection,” stated Farrell. Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, and Mack Hansen constitute a consistent back three. With Tadhg Furlong still sidelined due to injury, Finlay Bealham has been chosen once more at tighthead prop alongside Andrew Porter and Ronan Kelleher, while Tom O’Toole’s concussion has created an opportunity for 24-year-old Leinster forward Clarkson. Farrell has maintained confidence in his second and back rows, although Ryan Baird is chosen over Iain Henderson on the bench. Craig Casey steps in for Munster team-mate Conor Murray as the scrum-half cover, marking another alteration to the replacements. Ireland have secured victories in their last three encounters against Argentina; the Pumas’ most recent triumph was the 2015 World Cup quarter-final held in Cardiff. Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt). Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne. Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (capt), Joel Sclavi; Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin OviedoReplacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Garcia, Santiago Carreras, Justo Piccardo. Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)