Pumas should be too strong

A GOOD start, maintain the tempo, control the football, be accurate and disciplined and don’t be intimidated by a partisan crowd – these will be some of Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan orders to his team as the first of two “trials” ahead of Rugby World Cup 2007 kicks off at the Estadio Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario in Santa Fe later today (kick off 8:10pm Irish time).

The signals emanating from the Ireland dressing room all week have been so positive that they possibly are the happiest rugby touring party ever to set foot on Argentinean soil. Ireland’s record against Los Pumas is played seven, won five and lost two – the two back-to-back losses being Lens in 1999 (will we ever forget?) and in Buenos Aires seven months later. Since then, Ireland have won three on the bounce, but there’s never more than a score or two in it.

And why should it be any different this time? The individuals on both teams need a good performance to cement squad places for France.