Andy Farrell: 'If ever a player feels comfortable, we’re failing the group'

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has warned his players nobody can afford to become complacent after selecting scrum-half Craig Casey ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park for Friday’s clash with Argentina.

Casey will partner fit-again fly-half Sam Prendergast for the Nations Championship match in Dublin, with British and Irish Lion Gibson-Park dropping to the bench.

Farrell is keen to build belief and competition for places moving towards next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

He has also handed an opportunity to Nick Timoney at openside flanker, while Sean Jansen starts at number eight in the absence of injured captain Caelan Doris.

“If ever a player feels comfortable, we’re failing the group,” said Farrell.

“We’ve not got those players anyway. I don’t think people are comfortable, just by their nature, but if you want to keep ambition growing as a group then you’ve got to keep the ambition within the individual.”

Casey, 27, made his Ireland debut in 2021 but has won the majority of his Test caps as a replacement.

“Craig deserves to play in a big game at the start of the season, to have the responsibility to be in charge of the week and how they go about that and take responsibility for how we play on Friday,” said Farrell.

“We need him to be able to have the opportunity to do that. Plus he’s been playing pretty well himself.

“He knows the competition is there but he’s got the shirt so it’s up to him and his team-mates to make a good first impression.”

Prop Andrew Porter, flanker Ryan Baird and wing Mack Hansen will make their first international appearances in a year after being sidelined through injury.

Hansen, who is set to line up on the left flank, scored a hat-trick in a 46-19 win over his native Australia last November but has not featured for Ireland since the 24-13 loss to South Africa a week later because of a foot issue.

“It’s fantastic to have Mack back, first of all for himself, really,” said Farrell.

“He’s been through a lot, and it’s great to have not just his ability as a player but to have his personality back in the group.”

Ireland registered back-to-back wins over Australia and Japan in the opening matches of the Nations Championship before ending the summer series with defeat to New Zealand.

Farrell has made seven personnel changes to the starting XV beaten 40-21 by the All Blacks, with hooker Dan Sheehan taking over the captaincy from Doris.

After hosting the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland take on Fiji on November 14 before facing world champions South Africa a week later.

“It’s a year that means a lot to us, so it’s an exciting one because we want to grow our game and make sure that we build the right belief for what’s coming in 12 months’ time,” said Farrell.

“There’s no better way to start that 12-month journey with a first game of the international season against a really tough and respected opponent in Argentina.”