Sam Prendergast doubtful for Ireland’s Argentina opener

Sam Prendergast has emerged as a doubt for Ireland’s Nations Championship opener against Argentina after suffering a wrist injury in Leinster training.

The 23-year-old will miss Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Munster at Aviva Stadium, with Joey Carbery starting at out-half for Leinster for the first time since returning to the province.

Prendergast injury concerns Ireland

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said Prendergast’s recovery is being assessed on a day-by-day basis ahead of Ireland’s meeting with Argentina at Aviva Stadium on November 6.

“He’ll be tight, I’d say,” Cullen said when asked whether Prendergast would be available. “Whether that’s tight positive or tight negative, I’m not quite sure. I genuinely don’t know.”

Cullen added that managing the pain in Prendergast’s wrist was the main concern and said the player had been keen to face Munster before Leinster decided against selecting him.

Prendergast had emerged as the leading candidate for the Ireland number 10 jersey after consecutive man-of-the-match performances against Cardiff and Clermont Auvergne.

Ireland already without Jack Crowley

Ireland are already without Munster out-half Jack Crowley, who remains sidelined with an injury and was omitted from Andy Farrell’s Nations Championship squad.

Prendergast’s injury could therefore increase the prospect of Ciarán Frawley being considered at out-half against Argentina.

Ireland begin the northern hemisphere phase of the Nations Championship against the Pumas in Dublin on November 6.

Carbery starts as Sheehan moves to number eight

Carbery will make his first Leinster start since returning to the province, while captain Dan Sheehan has been selected at number eight against Munster.

Rónan Kelleher starts at hooker, with Sheehan moving into the back row amid Leinster’s injury problems.

Garry Ringrose is unavailable with a hamstring injury, while Caelan Doris is expected to remain sidelined until the new year. Jack Conan will also miss Ireland’s November programme after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Clermont Auvergne.