INTERNATIONAL TEST:

The police came at a frantic space in vans, cars and motorbikes, all with sirens blaring and blue lights flashing.

Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne says he hopes to nail down a permanent spot in the Irish squad when he starts his first international in a year against Argentina.

INTERNATIONAL TEST:

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt wants to try out as many players as possible in Argentina and has therefore made seven changes for Saturday’s second Test match against the Pumas.

Jamie Heaslip said he wasn’t long getting a taste of Puma power when he was unceremoniously put on his backside moments after coming off the bench in the first test against Argentina last Saturday.

New Ireland international Kieran Marmion wants to nail down a permanent place in the squad having made his debut against Argentina on Saturday.

Ireland winger Simon Zebo is determined to hold on to his place in the squad after making his first international appearance in a year in their 29-17 win over Argentina last weekend.

Luke Marshall is unlikely to play in the second test against Argentina after the Ulster man picked up another head injury in the opening 29-17 win over the Pumas on Saturday.

INTERNATIONAL TEST:

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell admitted sorting out missed tackles will be one of their biggest priorities this week as they prepare for the second and concluding test against the Pumas in Tucuman on Saturday.

Argentina 17 Ireland 29

The English sportswriter John Hopkins once described tours of New Zealand by the British and Irish Lions as a cross between a medieval crusade and a prep school outing.

Former Munster prop Freddy Pucciariello has warned Joe Schmidt’s men to expect a hostile welcome in the outposts where their two Tests take place this month.

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

Hand surgery has denied Robbie Henshaw first refusal on Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland berth after the Connacht centre was ruled out of next month’s tour of Argentina.

Ireland’s two-Test tour of Argentina next month looks significantly less daunting after their South American hosts revealed a squad yesterday that is devoid of their big-name players.

Paddy Jackson will miss Ireland’s summer tour to Argentina due to a stress fracture in his lower back.

Leinster back Dave Kearney has been left out of Ireland's 30-man squad for the two-Test tour of Argentina in June.

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

Frederic Michalak has been named in France’s squad for their two-match tour of Argentina next month.

Purgatory

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has made five changes for Sunday’s World Cup Pool B clash with Argentina – and resisted a recall for tournament captain Alastair Kellock.

Argentina prop Martin Scelzo hopes captain and team talisman Felipe Contepomi is fit for Sunday’s vital World Cup Pool B showdown with Scotland.

ON a day when several of Ireland’s injury problems cleared up, Argentina named their team for battle at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday two days earlier than expected.

NEW ZEALAND coach Graham Henry expects Wales to be breathing fire next weekend after being humbled 42-9 by the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday.

Argentina 9 Scotland 13

Scotland boss Andy Robinson will not underestimate the threat posed by Argentina's trademark forward power in today's first Test in Tucuman.

SOUTH AFRICA vice-captain Victor Matfield has warned his side that the battle of the breakdown will be crucial when they host France in Cape Town today (1pm Irish time).

Felipe Contepomi and Juan Manuel Leguizamon have been recalled to Argentina’s starting XV to play Scotland on Saturday.

Toulon centre Felipe Contepomi has returned to the Argentina squad for the Pumas’ Tests against Scotland and France.

The AIB League fraternity has been given further motivation to reach for the title with the announcement that the champions will be entered as the Ireland representative in the Languedoc-Roussillon amateur rugby tournament.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock is hoping Ireland’s inside knowledge of South Africa will help the tourists gain a historic first away win over the Springboks for his side.

Argentina 0 Wales 25

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has been buoyed by one of the nation’s legendary coaches ahead of today’s second Test in Buenos Aires.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has taunted Welsh rival Mike Ruddock ahead of the second Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has urged his players to take a leaf out of Lawrence Dallaglio’s book of rugby wisdom as they go in search of revenge against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

HAVING enjoyed the adulation of the rugby public since defeating Ireland, Springbok coach Jake White is now trying to limit their expectations.

The future of Colin Charvis as Wales captain is unclear.

The Welsh Rugby Union hope to resolve their differences with national team captain Colin Charvis after Wales have played Argentina at Tucuman on Saturday.

The Welsh Rugby Union are embroiled in a row with national team captain Colin Charvis which has prompted his refusal to conduct media interviews.

Argentinian legend Federico Mendez hopes to prove the theory that as with wine, front-row forwards improve with age when he leaves his vineyard to tackle Wales at Tucuman on Saturday.

GARETH LLEWELLYN will overtake goal-kicking legend Neil Jenkins to make a record-breaking 88th Wales appearance when he lines up in the second-row against Argentina at Tucuman on Saturday.

Iestyn Harris has turned his back on “the ultimate dream” of playing for the Lions when Clive Woodward takes them to New Zealand next year by deciding to return to rugby league.