Ireland face Argentina at the Aviva on Friday, 6 November, with World Cup 2027 seeding in view

What is at stake

Ireland open their November Nations Championship window against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 6 November, with the kick-off at 8.10pm. Ireland have won 14 of the 20 previous meetings between the sides, but Argentina have won all three of their World Cup encounters, and each of those results preceded an early Irish exit. Ireland's first game at Australia 2027 is just under 11 months away, and a quarter-final against Argentina in Brisbane on 31 October 2027 becomes possible if both teams top their pools. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said his side are behind where they stood four years ago.

“We were world number one four years ago, now we're sitting at third.”

The 10 jersey and the squad

Jack Crowley is injured, which gives Sam Prendergast another chance to claim the number 10 jersey. Prendergast was 21 when he made his debut in this fixture two years ago, and his Test career has had an uneven start since then. Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird and Mack Hansen return to the squad for the window. Sean Jansen's emergence is seen as covering the loss of Ireland's go-to number eights.

The scrum question

Porter, a 30-year-old loosehead, last played for Ireland in the 24-13 defeat to South Africa at the Aviva Stadium last November. That day Ireland's scrum was overwhelmed, Porter was sent to the sinbin by referee Matthew Carley, and Ireland were briefly down to 12 men after conceding a penalty try. Two calf injuries kept him out of the Six Nations and the summer tour, and he says he has spent much of that time thinking about the scrum. He describes the chance to face Argentina, and then South Africa, as another opportunity to put things right.

“That's the great thing about sport, if you're lucky enough to keep playing, you get another opportunity, another swing at it, and that's the way I look at it.”

Argentina and the Dublin record

Argentina beat the British and Irish Lions 28-24 in Dublin in 2025, and seven players from that side are set to feature on Friday, including Julián Montoya. Felipe Contepomi's side have won three of their last 10 fixtures, and bookmakers list them as 10-point underdogs at 11/4 to win. Ireland have beaten Argentina in all 11 meetings in Dublin, a record that makes the visitors' away wins over every other Tier 1 nation a notable contrast. Farrell has acknowledged the 2025 result.

“It's certainly referenced in my mind, because they're a bloody good team.”

What follows

Ireland play Fiji in the week of 9 November 2026, and South Africa return to the Aviva Stadium on 21 November. The quarter-final pairing depends on both sides topping their pools at the 2027 tournament. The key dates for the window and beyond are set out below.