'Legend' Healy set to equal O'Driscoll record against Pumas

Veteran Irish prop Cian Healy is set to equal Brian O'Driscoll's record of 133 Irish caps after being named on the bench for Friday's one-off rugby union Test with Argentina.

Healy, 37, made his Test debut in 2009 and surprised many when he carried on playing despite missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup because of injury.

Although Healy said this week he would "never be the player (O'Driscoll) was", head coach Andy Farrell had few qualms about where Healy stood in the pantheon of Irish rugby players.

“For Cian (Healy) it will be an incredible moment for him, his family and friends to reach Brian O'Driscoll's 133-cap landmark," said Farrell.

"We'll pay tribute to Cian again but he is a legend of the game in Ireland and his influence amongst his team-mates, past and present, transcends his many successes on the field.

"It promises to be a special night."

Farrell has made just the one change to the starting line-up that produced an uncharacteristically sloppy performance in the 23-13 loss to New Zealand last Friday.

Out goes centre Bundee Aki -- who earned a World Player of the Year nomination as one of Ireland's standout performers last year -- and in comes Robbie Henshaw for his 75th cap.

Farrell has kept faith with Jack Crowley at fly-half, despite the Irish attack not functioning last week.

However, Ciaran Frawley, who had a nightmare when he came on for Crowley, has been omitted from the match day squad.

He is replaced on the bench by 21-year-old Sam Prendergast, of whom great things are expected.

Also set for his first cap is prop Thomas Clarkson, who comes in on the bench for Tom O'Toole, ruled out due to a head injury.

"For Tom and Sam, their promotion to the matchday 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," said Farrell.

Farrell said Crowley would admit he "needs to step up a bit" and along with several other players are "lucky to get another chance".

- 'Pressure's good' -

As for Prendergast, Farrell says going on the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in October had done him the world of good.

He started all three games in the space of seven days.

"Prendergast is ready," said Farrell.

"For a young fellow he has not had much game time.

"He is a confident kid and is a lot more comfortable in his own skin, since we took him on the Emerging Ireland tour.

"The reason we did was for him to grab hold of his team and show that he was in charge, and he did that."

Farrell made other changes on the bench, bringing in Craig Casey for veteran scrum-half Conor Murray and the more dynamic scrummager Ryan Baird replaces Iain Henderson.

Ireland have yet to be beaten by Argentina in Dublin but the Pumas arrive after a successful Rugby Championship which included a historic win over the All Blacks in New Zealand.

Farrell said it was terrific after a loss like that to have a match straight away against another top class rival in Argentina.

"Pressure's good," he said.

"It's what concentrates the mind, you see where your character's at.

"We want to win all our games but the opposition is always going to have a say in that.

"I think this is perfect because we’ve got another top, top drawer opposition coming and we want to test ourselves because we feel like we let a few people down last week."

Team (15-1)

Ireland

Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; James Ryan, Joe McCarthy; Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Peter O'Mahony, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Jamie Osborne

Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)

pi/gj/bsp