Argentina make 12 changes ahead of Ireland match in Dublin

An almost entirely new line-up for Dublin

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi made 12 changes to his starting line-up for Friday's Nations Championship match against Ireland in Dublin, compared with the side that drew 28-28 with Australia in September. Only three players keep their places from that match: prop Boris Wenger and the experienced forwards Guido Petti and Pablo Matera, AFP reports.

Mallia's return and the goal for the tour

For the first time in almost a year, Toulouse full-back Juan Cruz Mallia has returned to the squad: he tore the ligaments in his right knee after a late tackle by England's Tom Curry. Contepomi, who played for Leinster from 2003 to 2009, set the goal for the three November Tests — against Ireland, Italy and France — of becoming a more cohesive team: 'We need to get better as a team, make fewer unforced errors, raise our standards. Be competitive.' He also recalled that Argentina's chances of levelling the series with Australia were undermined by discipline: in the final 10 minutes of the match the team were down to 13 players.

Context of the match and the opponent

Argentina are trying to beat Ireland in Dublin for the first time in history. Contepomi called the tour 'a huge challenge' a year out from the World Cup: 'We are playing against two top-4 teams and against Italy, who have made clear progress in recent years.' The opponents have problems too: Ireland captain Caelan Doris, Jack Conan, Harry Ringrose and fly-half Jack Crowley are injured — all of them were key to winning the Triple Crown in the Six Nations. Andy Farrell will name Ireland's line-up later on Wednesday. Both teams sit fourth in their respective northern and southern hemisphere tables; the tournament's final weekend takes place at the end of the month at Twickenham.