Testing times for Irish hopefuls

THE CONTRAST was striking.

Last weekend, Ireland’s under-strength tour party left Shannon bound for Buenos Aires and a demanding two-test series against an even weaker Pumas squad.

At the same time, many of Ireland’s first choice players headed off to various European holiday destinations with only the weather and possible sunburn to concern them. For the Argentine tourists, with World Cup places up for grabs, the challenge of avoiding a roasting of an entirely different kind beckons.