Ireland must earn seeding reward

Ireland must beware the giant strides Argentina have taken this season if they are to avoid a defeat today that will have serious consequences for the next three years.

Anything but a win today at the Aviva Stadium and Ireland will lose top-eight status in the world rankings, relegating Declan Kidney’s side to the third tier of seeds for the Rugby World Cup 2015 pool draw in nine days.

A formidable Argentina side stands between them and that security and after a win earlier this month in Wales and an impressive debut against the southern hemisphere’s big guns in the Rugby Championship this summer, Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss has warned against expecting anything but a serious challenge today in Dublin.