The dozen Leinster players in the British & Irish Lions squad have a degree of ground to make up after missing last week’s training camp in Portugal, but for the notable exception of Tadhg Furlong.
The 32-year-old tighthead, who has played 79 times for Ireland, had a troubled season afflicted by calf and hamstring issues, and made the last of his seven appearances for Leinster this season seven weeks ago against Northampton.
But Furlong, who has started the last six Tests for the Lions as an ever-present in New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa four years ago, has been given an early chance to prove his wellbeing ahead of the tour to Australia by being named on the bench for Friday’s game against Argentina.
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Finlay Bealham, who 10 days ago was not even in the squad until being called up as a late replacement for the unfortunate Zander Fagerson, also has an opportunity to throw down a marker after being named as the starting tighthead.
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The Munster captain, Tadhg Beirne, who was a replacement in the first and second Test in South Africa, starts alongside the captain Maro Itoje. Bundee Aki, who started the third Test four years ago, partners Sione Tuipulotu, in what is likely to become a fascinating duel for the 12 jersey come the Test series.
Ronan Kelleher, who did not seen any game time in South Africa after being called up as cover, will feature in Friday’s non-Test match off the bench, as will Mack Hansen. Kelleher is the only player to be involved against the Pumas six days after taking part in the end-of-season finals.
The remaining 10 Leinster players will, as expected, not feature against the Pumas and given the late arrival of 15 players from the newly crowned URC champions and from the Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester, much of Andy Farrell’s first selection as Lions head coach picked itself.
With Blair Kinghorn still on French Championship duty with Toulouse, and Hugo Keenan sidelined, so Marcus Smith will start at fullback, while the Northampton and England pair of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will start at halfback.
British & Irish Lions: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham; Maro Itoje (capt), Tadhg Beirne; Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Henry Pollock, Tomos Williams, Elliot Daly, Mack Hansen
Argentina: Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgró, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tomás Albornoz, Gonzalo García; Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (capt), Joel Sclavi; Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo; Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo. Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Santiago Grondona, Joaquin Moro, Simón Benitez Cruz, Matias Moroni, Santiago Cordero.
