Pumas hit by baggage blow
However, the Italians exacted revenge on Sunday by conspiring to leave 63 pieces of luggage behind as the Pumas headed to Dublin in preparation for their clash with Ireland on Saturday.
Alitalia, the designated carrier, hadn't bargained on carrying such a load on the flight to Dublin and left the gear behind in Italy without informing the Argentineans. The party arrived in Ireland to find that playing gear, boots, trainers and other equipment was missing and their training schedule has been disrupted.
Leading sportswear supplier Umbro intervened yesterday to help the touring side out but were unable to accomodate every player, some of whom wear size 14 boots.
There have been frantic behind the scenes efforts to get the equipment to Ireland in the meantime and Aer Lingus were due to transfer the missing luggage last night.
Tour Liaison Officer Alfie Acheson said last night: "They are not too happy with the situation but the blame has been firmly put on the door of the carrier. It had nothing to do with the arrangements here in Ireland.
"It is very frustrating for the squad and everyone concerned. They have not been able to train in any reasonable fashion since they arrived on Sunday. In fact, some of the players whose luggage was left behind have had to wear the same clothes since they arrived in the country." Meanwhile, Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan is considering only two changes from the team that defeated Australia for the visit of Argentina. Denis Hickie and John Kelly have been ruled out and that could pave the way for either Geordan Murphy or Justin Bishop to get a start.
O'Sullivan might well, however, give the left wing berth to Bishop who impressed in Ireland's victory over Fiji at the weekend. He may also be tempted to name Murphy at full-back to see whether the Leicester player can repeat an excellent performance against better opposition.
That would be a harsh judgement on Dempsey but the coach has made it clear that he wants competition for as many positions as possible in advance of the World Cup in Australia next year.
This game against the Pumas would be an ideal test for Murphy who has had his progress in the green jersey stunted by injuryThe team will be announced early this afternoonBishop gets his opportunity because of injury to both Denis Hickie and John Kelly who were ruled out after their heroics in the Australian game. Hickie suffered a head injury and Kelly damaged his knee. IRELAND (from): Forwards: Reggie Corrigan (Lansdowne/Leinster), John Hayes (Shannon/Munster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Shane Byrne (Blackrock College/Leinster), Frank Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Gary Longwell (Ballymena/Ulster), Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster), Keith Gleeson (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster), Victor Costello (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Anthony Foley (Shannon/Munster).Backs: Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), David Humphreys (Dungannon/Ulster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Guy Easterby (Llanelli), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Brian O'Driscoll (Blackrock College/Leinster), Justin Bishop (London Irish), Shane Horgan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester).
* Not considered: Denis Hickie (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Rob Henderson (Young Munster/Munster), John Kelly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Keith Wood (Harlequins), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Eric Miller (Terenure College/Leinster), Jeremy Davidson (Dungannon/Ulster), Bob Casey (London Irish).
There is one change in the Replacements on the Irish Development XV to play Argentina at Donnybrook on Wednesday (kick off 7pm).
Justin Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster) replaces prop Ronan McCormack (Buccaneers/Connacht), who has a shoulder injury. Emmet Byrne (St. Mary's College/Leinster) has joined the squad as a stand by for loose head prop Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), who has a shoulder injury.
