Sport with John Duggan: Irish team named for Argentina rugby match

John Duggan (0:00)

The Hard Shoulder, with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman.

Ciara Kelly (0:04)

On Newstalk, with Ciara. John Duggan joins us now with the sports news. JD, the Irish rugby team has been named to face Argentina this Friday.

John Duggan (0:14)

It has, Ciara, good evening. And Sam Prendergast has overcome a wrist injury to be named at out half for the game. Under lights at the Viva Stadium, Prendergast will be partnered by Munsters Grum half Craig Casey, Jameson Gibson Park having to settle for a spot on the bench. The back row is interesting, featuring Ryan Berge, Nick Timoney and Sean Janssen. Dan Sheehan captains the team from Hooker with props Andrew Porter and Tige Furlong alongside him. Joe McCarthy and Tige Byrne make up the second row. Hugo Keenan, Robert Balacoon and Matt Hansen are the back three. Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McClusky form the centre partnership for the game against the Pumas. Argentina, with Felipe Conte Pomi leading them, have never won on Irish soil, never won a game here, a test match here.

Shane Colman (0:53)

Really? Yeah, because they have beaten us on a number of occasions, very painfully. Longs.

John Duggan (0:59)

And then the 2007 World Cup as well was painful too. And the 2015 World Cup.

Shane Colman (1:04)

It gives a good walloping that one on us. Yeah. The IRFU warning about fraudulent tickets in circulation, JD, tell us more.

John Duggan (1:12)

Urging supporters to exercise extreme caution when purchasing tickets for upcoming international fixtures, following a significant increase in reports of fraudulent digital ticket sales targeting fans. Headed these November Nations Championship matches and high demand Guinness Men's Six Nations Games against England and France.

In 2027, we have, I suppose, one would think that digital tickets are safer, but the most obvious thing to do is not to avail of any real sale sites when it comes to getting tickets, our sports tickets in general, because unless they're authorized, you are putting your life in your hands a bit.

Shane Colman (1:46)

Yeah. The big cup is on tonight. Liverpool and Axton very shortly.

John Duggan (1:52)

Yeah. In about nine minutes against Fenerbahce in Turkey in the Champions League. Fenerbahce now managed by old Liverpool, favours Dirk Houch.

Andoni Eirola has made five changes from the team, was started against Arsenal at the weekend for the 5.45 kickoff. So, Addison and Goal, Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacque, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Simikos across the back. In midfield positions, Trey and Ioni, the 19-year-old keeps the spot alongside Alexis McAllister and Dominic Zabozlai. Victor Munoz, Rio N'Gamoa and Bradley Barkele in the forward positions. Liverpool starting the match without a recognised number nine. Liverpool with three wins from three so far in that league phase. Arsenal, two wins in a draw, had ended their game against Slavia Prague in Czechia, which begins at eight. At the same time, Manchester City, who've taken six points from the nine that were on offer to them, play Leipzig in Germany. You must have been very impressed with the, I suppose, 1-0 to the Arsenal display on Sunday.

Shane Colman (2:43)

It was a grown-up display, wasn't it? A friend of mine described that as... I thought Liverpool were good, particularly in the second quarter, second half of the first half, if you know what I mean. I thought Liverpool were really good, but I thought in the second half, Arsenal just did a number on them.

John Duggan (2:58)

It's one of those games that you look back if they win the title again. These are the games that win your championships. Yeah.

Shane Colman (3:04)

I thought Declan Rice was immense. And the Konzer wasn't bad at centre back, even if William Saliba is on the way back.

John Duggan (3:12)

I just went down to Rabbit Hole because they were wearing the yellow jerseys and the Navy shorts.

And that was the kit they wore when they won the title at Anfield in 1989 with the very last kick of the game in English league football. Michael Thomas won the title. Where were you that night?

Shane Colman (3:27)

I was about to get on a train to go back to Lundok in college and I waited till the final whistle and then very happily got to train.

Ciara Kelly (3:39)

I love how you know where you were and I love how you knew he would know where he was.

Shane Colman (3:44)

It's only 37 years ago.

Ciara Kelly (3:48)

When we do these sports bones, I'm always reminded of that thing, how often do you think of the Roman Empire? You know, that question you're supposed to ask men and it seems like a mad question until you ask them and they all can tell you, yeah, seven times a day.