Test Match: Argentina v Ireland

22.11.2008
Argentina v Ireland in Dublin

Preview
On a magnificent occasion in Paris last September Argentina powered their way to a 30-15 win over Ireland in Pool D to propel themselves in the Quarter Finals and bounce Ireland out of the tournament. One just feels Argentina has not been able to recapture the high standard of that match in their November 2008 tour so far.

As for Ireland, they are rebuilding after that failed World Cup and a number of new players has emerged on the scene. Some of the old hands from that World Cup are still around making the team an interesting mix.

Last Five Encounters
30.09.2007 Argentina 30-15 in Paris (World Cup, Pool D)
02.06.2007 Argentina 16-0 in Buenos Aires
26.05.2007 Argentina 22-20 in Santa Fe
27.11.2004 Ireland 21-19 in Dublin
26.10.2003 Ireland 16-15 in Adelaide (World Cup, Pool A)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Argentina 7th, Ireland 12th

Prediction: Los Pumas to recapture some glory, by 15 points

Teams

Argentina
15 Horacio Agulla
14 Francisco Leonelli
13 Federico Martin Aramburu
12 Miguel Avramovic
11 Rafael Carballo
10 Juan Martin Hernandez
9 Nicolas Vergallo
8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon
7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Capt
6 Martin Durand
5 Patricio Albacete
4 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis
3 Juan Pablo Orlandi
2 Mario Ledesma
1 Rodrigo Roncero
Replacements
16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo
17 Marcos Ayerza
18 Esteban Lozada
19 Alvaro Galindo
20 Agustin Figuerola
21 Santiago Fernandez
22 Bernardo Stortoni
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan

Ireland
15 Geordan Murphy
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Brian O'Driscoll, Capt.
12 Luke Fitzgerald
11 Robert Kearney
10 Ronan O'Gara
9 Tomas O'Leary
8 James Heaslip
7 David Wallace
6 Stephen Ferris
5 Paul O'Connell
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
3 John Hayes
2 Jerry Flannery
1 Marcus Horan
Replacements
16 Rory Best
17 Anthony Buckley
18 Malcolm O'Kelly
19 To be named
20 Eoin Reddan
21 Paddy Wallace
22 Keith Earls
Head Coach: Declan Kidney