Ireland v Argentina: Byrne handed debut as injured Henshaw is ruled out

Joe Schmidt gave Adam Byrne his Leinster debut four years ago

Leinster wing Adam Byrne will make his Ireland debut against Argentina on Saturday while Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out by a hamstring injury.

Byrne's inclusion is among three changes from the 38-3 win over South Africa two weeks ago which came before the much-changed Irish edged out Fiji.

The new cap replaces Munster's Andrew Conway while Henshaw's absence means that Chris Farrell is named at centre.

The other change from the South Africa game see James Ryan in for Devin Toner.

Leinster lock Ryan will partner Iain Henderson in the second row as Toner is named on the bench.

Munster's Chris Farrell made his Ireland debut against Fiji last weekend

Henshaw 'could have been involved at a push'

Ulster-born Munster centre Farrell will earn his second cap after making his debut against Fiji a week ago.

His selection means Ireland's centre partnership only have two caps between them with Bundee Aki having made his debut against the Springboks.

Schmidt revealed that Henshaw wasn't considered for selection after missing training on Thursday.

"He's got a slight hamstring strain," said Schmidt.

"I think at a push he could potentially have been involved. But it should see him fine for what's coming up [with Leinster], he's got a busy period coming up.

"Chris acquitted himself pretty well last week, got better as the game went on, and it's another opportunity for him."

Leinster's Byrne was handed his provincial debut as a 19-year-old by Schmidt, but has since had two broken legs.

But now the 23-year-old has been handed the chance to step up, and boss Schmidt will be hoping his top-line pace can add extra zip to Ireland's backline.

Pumas aim to end Dublin curse

Although Argentina have won the most recent meeting between the two sides, Los Pumas have never beaten Ireland in Dublin in seven previous attempts.

Head coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to the team that won against Italy last Saturday with veteran flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon dropping to the bench to be replaced by Tomas Lezana.

There are also two changes in the backline as centre Matias Moroni starts instead of Matias Orlando while Ramiro Moyano take the place of Sebastian Cancelliere on the wing.

Veteran fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez, who came off the bench against Italy, has been ruled out with a knee injury.

"We know what kind of team Ireland are," said second row Tomas Lavanini.

"I've played against them three times, and the truth is that they are always a very tough opponent, with a very strong and heavy pack. And that's something that we have always struggled to counteract.

"They have strong aerial threat in the second row, their front row is extremely technical and neat, and in general they are a very hard team to penetrate."

"Winning our set-piece and then retaining ball will be vital, because with the smallest error they will make you pay," Lavanini added.

"The breakdown will also be key, because they know how to make the game slow and that will be fundamental when it comes to attacking them."

Ireland: Kearney; Byrne, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (capt), Furlong; James Ryan, Henderson; O'Mahony, O'Brien, Stander

Replacements: Tracy, Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Toner, Ruddock, L McGrath, Keatley, Conway.

Argentina: Tuculet; Moyano, Moroni, Gonzalez, Boffelli; Sanchez, Landajo; Garcia Botta, Creevy (capt), Tetaz Chaparro; Alemanno, Lavanini; Matera, Kremer, Lezana

Replacements: Montoya, Noguera, Pieretto, Petti, Leguizamon, Bertranou, De La Fuente, Cancelliere.