Ronan O'Gara: It’s not an Irish test window without a No 10 debate

There are a pair of test windows left for Andy Farrell to mould Ireland into the unit he needs to rattle the World Cup next year. I like Farrell. He is honest and accurate in his commentary - I'd would agree with him on where Ireland stand now

KICKING ON: Sam Prendergast during an Ireland Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Any test window that has South Africa, New Zealand, Australian and the Argentinians together in the northern hemisphere has to have something going for it. It’s easy from the cheap seats to knock holes in the format and the capacity come the end of November to have some close-to-dead rubbers, but this Nations Championship might be onto something. A normal November might see a couple of the southern hemisphere powerhouses with something to prove but it tends to be half-hearted tours sprinkled with some youngbloods and the primary aim of balancing the books. This format makes it all somewhat more accountable for a final weekend where the rankings dictate whether you’re am hors d’oeuvre or a Sunday roast.

It’s not an international test window in Ireland without a number ten debate. To ensure fair play, it’s noteworthy to mention Sam Prendergast and the increased maturity in his decision-making and performances, not least against Clermont in the Champions Cup, the most commanding performance I’ve seen from the rookie ten. Yes it was club level but it was polished and mature, displaying fantastic vision to boot. Prendergast well knows he will get nothing like that amount of time Friday night at the Aviva Stadium against Argentinians, who like their meat rare, blue almost.