After an emphatic victory over Italy last weekend in Chicago, Ireland lock horns against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium. The team selection made by Joe Schmidt is strong and shows the respect that the Ireland team have for the Argentinians. Hawkeye Sidekick runs the rule over the selections.
Sean O’Brien returns for Ireland
Given the strong squad depth chart for Ireland, the omissions of Rob Kearney, Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Beirne are noted but not devastating to the Ireland setup.
The key talking point is the return of Sean O’Brien to the back row unit where he slots in alongside Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander. Injuries issues aplenty for the Tullow native but it is clear that Joe Schmidt has selected O’Brien to provide abrasiveness in his ball carrying, tackling and all round play. O’Brien needs to impress given the huge depth chart in the back row position. Josh van der Flier, Dan Leavy, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy all chomping at the bit to get game time. Tadhg Beirne is a viable option in the unit too.
This is a strong lineup to kickoff the home Autumn International series. The front five looks compact and Iain Henderson will be keen to impress alongside James Ryan in the second row given that Devin Toner is on the bench and Tadhg Beirne is out of the matchday squad. The front row looks incredibly strong with Healy, Best and Furlong looking to unsettle an Argentine front row which has struggled in set piece this season.
The half back partnership will be keenly watched. How will Marmion manage the game? Can Marmion provide quick ruck ball for Sexton to launch his runners?
The three quarters and back three are loaded with talent and physicality. Aki and Henshaw will carry with abrasive purpose while Larmour, Earls and Stockdale will look to impress in the back three. Larmour’s attacking lines are superb but want to see him tested defensively and under the high ball against Argentina to get a full read on the player.
Argentina shift personnel and captaincy
Mario Ledesma has shifted the team with six changes and a change in captaincy. Creevy starts at hooker but loses the captaincy to Matera. The key theme from the selection is the added bulk to the back row as Petti (a lock) slots into the back row; an indication that Argentina want to meet Ireland head on in the set piece (line out) and pack exchanges.
Sanchez at ten is a superb footballer and will look to Cubelli to provide quick ruck ball to allow him to launch an exciting back line containing Delguy and Boffelli. A solid outfit which should experience as severe cohesion issues as typically seen by national teams this time of year as all the squad are from the Jaguares.
Game Plan
It is an interesting question to pose. Argentina have evolved their game plan in recent year. Their dependency on total pack supremacy on the back of a slick aerial game has significantly reduced as the Jaguares and now the national team have refocused to play a more expansive style of game. They will look to spread the ball out wide to test Ireland’s outside defense early doors.
What do Ireland do? To engage in a highly unstructured game would favor Argentina but the smart play will be to focus initially on pack platform, look to expose the visitors in the scrum. The line out looks interesting with the inclusion of Petti in the Argentinian side; a third viable line out jumper for the South Americans.
Sexton will be eager to launch his runners but I think the theme will be patience; play the phases in the tight and when the opportunities arise, launch Henshaw and Aki to secure gain line advantages that will utilize the Ireland back three.
Verdict
A good solid test match for Ireland ahead of their New Zealand challenge on November 20th. Ireland will be tested by Argentina in their fast attacking game but the pack platform advantage lies with Ireland here. This is the focal point for victory and despite Argentina’s resiliency, think this is a test match where Ireland will look to issue a statement of intent to all others. Ireland by ten points.