Jennings and Kearney to start

There will be two new caps in Eddie O'Sullivan's Ireland team when it takes to the field for the second Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday

Having blossomed early in their careers the sight of Leicester flanker Shane Jennings and winger Rob Kearney starting in a senior shirt may seem long overdue to some, but such is the competition for places among players determined to make it to the World Cup in France in September.

The inclusions are two of 12 changes to the side that lost 22-20 to the Pumas in Santa Fe last weekend, with the selection of a Wasps halfback partnership the other amendment of note.

Scrumhalf Eoin Reddan will make his first start for Ireland and lines up beside Jeremy Staunton who was brought into the squad from the Churchill Cup side after a knee injury ruled Ulster's Paddy Wallace out of contention.

A very inexperienced backline is completed by Connacht's Gavin Duffy and Munster's Barry Murphy in the centre, Brian Carney on the wing and Geordan Murphy at fullback.  Leicester's Murphy has won 47 of the 60 caps accounted for in this particular backline.

After scoring a try in the first Test rugby league convert Carney will be eager to take his second chance, afforded to him partially through O'Sullivan's desire to see him in action again, and also because both other wings, Tomy Bowe and Andrew Trimble, are injured.

There were wholesale changes in the forwards as well. Jerry Flannery makes way for Frankie Sheahan at hooker, while the back five is completely different. Repatriated Leinster lock Leo Cullen comes in to partner Munster's Mick O'Driscoll, while Alan Quinlan and Stephen Ferris (number eight) join Jennings in the backrow.

Speaking today O'Sullivan hinted that there are still World Cup places up for grabs.

"I think a lot of the players last week stood up and put their cases forward for World Cup selection. This week's team has the same opportunity to do that in another pressurised environment," said the Irish coach.

The match kicks off in the Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Velez Sarsfield, at 8.10pm Irish time.

15 - Geordan Murphy Leicester 47

14 - Brian Carney Clonakilty/Munster 1

13 - Barry Murphy U.L. Bohemians/Munster 1

12 - Gavin Duffy Galwegians/Connacht 5

11 - Rob Kearney UCD/Leinster 0

10 - Jeremy Staunton Wasps 4

9 - Eoin Reddan Wasps 1

1 - Bryan Young Ballymena/Ulster 6

2 - Frankie Sheahan Cork Constitution/Munster 27

3 - Simon Best Captain Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 17

4 - Leo Cullen Leicester 18

5 - Mick O'Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster 10

6 - Alan Quinlan Shannon/Munster 23

7 - Shane Jennings Leicester 0

8 - Stephen Ferris Dungannon/Ulster 2

16 - Bernard Jackman Clontarf/Leinster 3

17 - Tony Buckley Shannon/Munster 1

18 - Malcolm O'Kelly St. Mary's College/Leinster 84

19 - Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 11

20 - Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster 8

21 - Kieran Lewis St.Mary's College/Leinster 2

22 - Luke Fitzgerald Blackrock College/Leinster 1

Tommy Bowe {shoulder}

Andrew Trimble {ankle}

Paddy Wallace {knee}