- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Six Nations champions Ireland play Argentina this Saturday, aiming for their first Test victory on Argentinian soil.
Ireland have played seven Tests in Argentina and lost six of them, with one drawn.
Ireland first played Argentina in 1952 in Buenos Aires, drawing the first Test but losing the second. Ireland next played Argentina in 1970, a tour Brian O’Driscoll’s father played on – my father as well, incidentally.
At the time, these matches weren’t considered Tests by the IRB, as Argentina were not full members of the board. The only countries considered full members were Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The IRB elevated other countries’ status at the first World Cup, in 1987.
There was talk of awarding cap status retrospectively to matches against non-member countries but nothing came of it.
Ireland’s first full Test in Argentina came in 2000, followed by two in 2007, including a 16-0 loss which is Ireland’s heaviest defeat against Argentina. Ireland’s only win against Argentina in the southern hemisphere was in the 2003 World Cup, 16-15.
Incidentally, Argentina have lost all seven of their Tests in Ireland. However, in a reversal, Argentina have won both World Cup games played against Ireland in the Northern Hemisphere.
First, most famously in 1999, when Argentina created one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, beating Ireland 28-24 in France. This loss meant Ireland failed to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time.
Argentina also beat Ireland in a 2007 pool game, meaning Ireland failed again to reach the quarter-finals.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, in charge of his first overseas tour, has picked a mix of youth and experience for the first Test. Paul O’Connell will captain the side and make his 100 Test appearance – 93rd for Ireland, with 7 caps for the British and Irish Lions.
Robbie Diack from Ulster will make his debut Test appearance. Diack has a chance to make an impression following the recent retirement of fellow Ulster-man Stephen Ferris due to a long-term injury. Iain Henderson, Jack McGrath, Chris Henry and Jordi Murphy are new to the team, none having more than 20 caps. Rory Best and Mike Ross will add the experience.
In the backline, Darren Cave has a chance to stake his claim for Brian O’Discoll’s vacant 13 jersey. He’s partnered by Luke Marshall, who can also stake a claim as Gordon D’Arcy may decide to retire after next year’s World Cup.
Felix Jones is selected at fullback, with Andrew Trimble, has had a great season, on the wing. Simon Zebo makes a long-awaited return to the Test team after not having been picked for the Six Nations and missing the November series. This is Zebo’s first match under Joe Schmidt.
Jonny Sexton and Conor Murray are the halves.
Few of the Irish players have played in Argentina before. Ireland have won five of their eight Tests this year and a win against Argentina would finish the season on a high.
Argentina have rested a lot of their star players and are fielding a young team. The newest additions to the Rugby Championship have not had a great record recently. They lost all Rugby Championship games last season and of their last 17 matches, their only significant win was against Italy.
They won both recent games against Chile and Uruguay, but neither team are much of a threat – Argentina are currently placed eighth in the IRB rankings, Ireland are fifth, while Uruguay are twentieth and Chile are twenty-seventh.
Still the Test is shaping up as quite even.
The Irish are without some of their stars and coming to the end of a long, gruelling season. Argentina are a much depleted side as well.
Despite Ireland’s poor record in Argentina, this year they might finally end their bogey.
Ireland
15 Felix Jones; 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Simon Zebo; 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best, 3 Mike Ross; 4 Iain Henderson, 5 Paul O’Connell; 6 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 8 Jordi Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Jamie Heaslip, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.
Argentina
15 Joaquin Tuculet; 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 12 Gabriel Ascarate, 11 Manuel Montero; 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo (Capt); 1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Matías Cortese, 3 Ramiro Herrera; 4 Manuel Carizza, 5 Tomas Lavanini; 6 Rodrigo Baez, 7 Tomás de la Vega, 8 Benjamin Macome.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Lucas González Amorosino.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.