Who could get Ireland chance against Fiji?

It hasn't been the start to the autumn internationals that Ireland had hoped for.

Heading into the autumn off the back of consecutive Six Nations titles and a dramatic win in South Africa, Ireland have stuttered, rather than progressed.

There was the humbling defeat by New Zealand, where Ireland struggled to lay a glove on the All Blacks.

And then, on Friday, Ireland just about held on to edge past a resurgent Argentina in Dublin.

Head coach Andy Farrell has hinted at changes as Fiji visit the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to freshen up his side, but who could get a chance to make their mark?

BBC Sport looks at some of the possibilities.

Big things are expected from Sam Prendergast, who made his Ireland debut in the second half against Argentina.

It was a big call by Farrell to introduce the youngster when Ireland were hanging on against the Pumas and he fared relatively well.

After his debut on Friday, a first Ireland start against Fiji feels like a logical choice.

It would give Farrell a chance to see Prendergast dictate things from the off, and show his leadership qualities in what could be a more youthful back line.

With Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley also in the mix, Farrell has an abundance of fly-half options going forward, but Prendergast is a name you will be hearing a lot more of in the future.

After Prendergast's introduction against the Pumas, Cormac Izuchukwu is the sole player from Farrell's initial 35-man panel who has yet to win a cap.

That is bound to change sooner, rather than later.

Izuchukwu is highly-rated by Farrell and the Ireland coaching staff and an international debut seems like the next natural step.

The versatility of the 24-year-old is also key, and he can play either in the second row or as a loose forward.

He was selected in the number six jersey for Emerging Ireland in September, where he was one of the leaders in the group, and has featured at both lock and the back row for Ulster.

Izuchukwu's impressive form has put him on the radar, and Fiji could be the ideal opportunity to encourage him onto the international stage.

There was some concern when Mack Hansen was ruled out the Six Nations through injury, but that was quickly forgotten when Calvin Nash stepped up.

The Munster wing was solid in defence and scored two tries - against Italy and France - as Ireland made it back-to-back Six Nations titles.

Nash, 27, continued his good form in the summer as he started both matches against South Africa in July.

He was unfortunate to drop out of the squad when Hansen returned to fitness.

But with the Connacht wing not firing on all cylinders since his return, could this be the perfect time for Nash to try and reclaim the 14 jersey?

After bursting onto the scene in 2017, Jacob Stockdale looked like he would have Ireland's left-wing jersey locked down for years to come.

However, injuries and subsequent loss of form meant he dropped out of the international picture.

The 28-year-old has now returned his very best with Ulster and that has brought him back into the reckoning for Ireland.

His strike rate in a green jersey is still something to behold and, with 19 tries in 37 caps, only five men have crossed the whitewash more in Ireland's history

If he gets the nod against Fiji, he'll be looking to add to that tally and put pressure on first-choice left wing James Lowe.

What's better than one Prendergast? Two of them!

While his younger brother is a classy fly-half, Cian Prendergast is more of a traditional back row.

After making the switch to Connacht from Leinster in 2020, Prendergast has become a valuable player for the western province and was named captain for the current season.

His international progress hasn't been as swift given Ireland's stacked back row options, and his last of three international caps came in the 2023 Six Nations.

If Farrell wants to freshen things up in the pack, then Prendergast could be in with a shout of adding to that tally against the Pacific Islanders.

Ulster back row Nick Timoney is another option for the forward pack, while Leinster's Jamie Osborne is in line for another start in the back line after filling in for Hugo Keenan against South Africa in the summer and two impressive appearances off the bench this month.