Leinster

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Ireland are optimistic that Sam Prendergast will be fit for Friday's Nations Championship opener against Argentina as the fly-half continues his recovery from a wrist injury.

Prendergast, 23, missed Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Munster on 24 October after injuring his wrist in training.

Speaking after that game, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen admitted Prendergast recovering in time to face the Pumas would be "tight".

But in a squad update issued on Sunday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said he "continues to improve" and that "management are optimistic" he will be available for selection.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is already without the injured Jack Crowley, with Connacht's Ciaran Frawley and uncapped Ulster player Jamie Benson the other options at fly-half.

In positive news, Leinster utility back Jimmy O'Brien will be available to face Argentina.

The 29-year-old has resumed training having passed return to play protocols after sustaining a concussion against Munster.

Ireland host Argentina on Friday (20:10 GMT) before home matches with Fiji and South Africa on 14 and 21 November, and a finals weekend fixture against a yet-to-be determined southern hemisphere opponent the following week at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.

In the southern hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship in July, Ireland beat Australia and Japan before losing to New Zealand in Auckland.

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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen spoke to Premier Sports after his side's 24-18 United Rugby Championship win over rivals Munster at Aviva Stadium.

On the performance: "We didn't manage the first 20 minutes particularly well, too many turnovers, little errors in our game. We just allowed Munster too much access into the game.

"I thought they were well on top for that 20 minutes but we grew into the game. I thought they were fatiguing a little bit by half-time so the message was to keep pounding away and we got some rewards."

On experimenting by putting Dan Sheehan at number eight: "I thought Dan was excellent, led from the front. Everything he did, took the fight to Munster.

"I thought he was really, really positive, everything he did. He's a really calm voice for us. We'll see where we go with that one, it's up to the Ireland squad now."

On Joey Carbery's first start: "Joey's good yeah, I think he was nervous in the game. He's been out a long time, only played 10 minutes last week.

"To get through 70-75 minutes today is great for him and it's another step. He's come back after a long time out with his ACL so delighted to see him back where he belongs."

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Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has named a completely changed team for Saturday's United Rugby Championship homecoming against Cardiff (19:45 BST).

After suffering back-to-back defeats in South Africa, Cullen is boosted by the return of several Ireland internationals as Leinster return to the Laya Arena (formerly the RDS Arena) for the first time since May 2024.

Dan Sheehan returns to captain an experienced team at hooker, with Alex Usanpov and Tadhg Furlong either side of him in the scrum.

Joe McCarthy and James Ryan return in the second, in front of a back row of Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Jack Conan.

Sam Prendergast returns at fly-half as Caspar Gabriel drops to the bench. Prendergast is joined at half-back by Oliver Coffey, who makes his first senior start at nine after four appearances off the bench.

Jamie Osborne and Garry Ringrose are paired in the centre, while wings Jimmy O'Brien and Joshua Kenny and full-back Hugo Keenan make up the back three.

Leinster: Keenan; Kenny, Ringrose, J Osborne, J O'Brien; Prendergast, Coffey; Usanov, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, J McCarthy, Ryan, Deegan, Penny, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Dooley, Clarkson, Spicer, Ericson, Gunne, Gabriel, Henshaw.