Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made three changes to his side to face Ireland at the Aviva on Friday night.

Having missed last weekend’s big win over Italy, Pablo Matera returns from suspension to start in the back-row, as Juan Martin Gonzalez switches from blindside to openside to accommodate the return of the Pumas’ vice-captain.

Guido Petti is recalled to the second-row, while Matias Moroni is back at inside centre. There is no place in the match-day 23 for Connacht winger Santi Cordero.

Thomas Gallo and Joel Sclavi continue either side of skipper Julian Montoya in the front-row, as Petti is paired with Pedro Rubiolo in the second-row.

The teak-tough Matera links up with Saracens’ outstanding talent Gonzalez and Joaquin Oviedo in the back-row.

Gonzalo Bertranou and Tomas Albornoz are again named as the starting half-backs, as Moroni partners Saracens’ Lucio Cinti in midfield.

Toulouse’s classy Juan Cruz Mallia is at full-back, as he forms a dangerous back-three with Bautista Delguy and Rodrigo Isgro.

Contepomi has gone with a conventional split of five forwards and three backs on the bench.

Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles and Francisco Gomez Kodela will provide front-row cover, while Franco Molina and Santiago Grondona will also offer extra ballast.

Gonzalo Garcia, Santiago Carreras and Justo Piccardo are the back-line replacements.

Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team at 2pm on Wednesday.

Argentina team (v Ireland)

J Cruz Mallia; R Isgro, L Cinti, M Moroni, B Delguy; T Albornoz, G Bertranou; T Gallo, J Montoya (capt), J Sclavi; G Petti, P Rubiolo; P Matera, J M Gonzalez, J Oviedo. Reps: I Ruiz, I Calles, F Gomez Kodela, F Molina, S Grondona, G Garcia, S Carreras, J Piccardo.