Argentina may have been converted to the joys and rewards of running rugby in the last three years, but the nation’s umbilical cord with physical forward play and their devotion to the scrum, in particular, remain embedded in the collective psyche.

Cian Healy is writing his way back to full match fitness but the Ireland prop recognises it will be bigger muscles than those in his hands that will define success over a mighty Romanian scrum on Sunday.

Marco Caputo has resigned as Leinster’s scrum coach, following Matt O’Connor’s departure from the province.

The visitors hold all the aces in terms of recent form, preparation, settled combinations and the confidence that stems from beating New Zealand last time out.

Springboks talisman Victor Matfield has hailed Ireland captain Paul O’Connell as “the best player I’ve played against”.

The new European gig was gripping at times but it did little to divert the impression the provinces are slipping under the shadow of an Ireland team on the up.

Simon Easterby didn’t expect the call.

Simon Easterby boasts the "ruthless focus" to thrive in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland set-up, according to his Scarlets coaching mentor Nigel Davies.

Simon Easterby boasts the “ruthless focus” to thrive in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland set-up, according to his Scarlets coaching mentor Nigel Davies.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will not be rushed into new contract talks ahead of the November Tests, insists IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora.

Jamie Heaslip revealed yesterday new Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby has already made a hugely positive impression on Joe Schmidt’s squad as they face in to a crucial 12 months prior to the next World Cup.

Wales hooker Ken Owens believes Simon Easterby has what it takes to succeed Joe Schmidt as Ireland coach.

Two of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland assistants will now spend their pre-season and more overseeing the affairs of clubs after confirmation yesterday Simon Easterby is to take over the role of forwards coach with the national side.

The domestic season may be over but rugby fans across Europe will be challenged to keep up with the volume of test matches over the next three weeks as end-of-term tours come sharply into focus.

Ireland skipper Paul O’Connell says there is no danger of them sitting on their laurels after the Six Nations triumph and that plenty of areas have been identified for improvement.

Joe Schmidt’s squad will land in Buenos Aires today with two more uncapped players hoping to give their Ireland Test careers a kick start against Argentina and a forwards coach set to finish his there.

Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree will stand down after the forthcoming tour of Argentina, the Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed.

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

David Nucifora will be installed as the Irish Rugby Football Union’s high performance director in time for the summer tour to Argentina.

Like a young rock band bursting onto the scene full of blistering bravado, Joe Schmidt’s new Ireland have made their splash on the rugby landscape.

As is so often the case, it is a simple plan that has brought Ireland to the brink of a Six Nations title.

Ireland 46 Italy 7

Three potential areas for Ireland to exploit

Johnny Sexton has beaten his thumb ligament problem in time to face Italy in the RBS 6 Nations in Dublin on Saturday.

Like the captain he plays beside in Ireland’s second row, Devin Toner may be happy with the way the Irish lineout has improved since the systems meltdown in Rome last March but the locks will be taking nothing for granted as they seek revenge against the Italians on Saturday.

Do not mention the ‘R’ word in the Ireland camp this week. With a Six Nations championship at stake over the final two games of the campaign and plenty to prove in the wake of a Grand Slam-robbing defeat to England at Twickenham last time out, rotation is the last thing on anybody’s mind as Joe Schmidt’s squad prepares to greet Italy in Dublin on Saturday.

Johnny Sexton will face the “true test” of fitness on his thumb ligament problem in Ireland’s training session on Thursday, according to John Plumtree.

As honeymoons go, Joe Schmidt’s has been bliss.

By Daniel Pitcher

The tactical breakdown of today’s Twickenham showdown

It’s funny the things you remember.

England and Ireland. Triple Crown at stake. Grand Slam still in the offing.

Stuart Lancaster labelled Ireland the “most complete side” in the Six Nations’ most complete side ahead of their visit to Twickenham on Saturday week.

Leinster coach Matt O’Connor believes Ireland can “outplay” England at Twickenham next Saturday week as long as John Plumtree’s forwards can match their efforts from the opening pair of Six Nations wins against Scotland and Wales.

Rob Penney will welcome back Donnacha Ryan for Munster’s Musgrave Park clash with Zebre on Saturday with the head coach believing the lock could play his way into Six Nations contention for Ireland’s trip to Twickenham the following week.

Quite a week then. I must admit I didn’t see Rob Penney’s departure from Munster coming down the track nor, for that matter, that Ireland would beat Wales by a margin of 23 points.

In the end, all that talk of rancour and revenge was just that.

Ireland’s raw desire shocked Wales into RBS 6 Nations submission, according to man-of-the-match Peter O’Mahony.

Three battles Ireland must shade to beat Wales

There wasn’t a hint of panic when Devin Toner was suddenly called upon to organise Ireland’s line-out strategy in Sunday’s RBS Six Nations clash with Scotland.

Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree has laid the gauntlet down this week. Not to Wales, but to his own pack, which he believes has to make the leap from good to great if Joe Schmidt’s side is to realise ambitions to win the Six Nations.

The need for improvement is undisputed following an opening victory over Scotland but there will be more to this week’s preparation for Saturday’s Wales game than simply going at training with hammer and tongs.

If I was asked to describe Ireland’s performance against Scotland in one word, it would be efficient.