Hard yards pay off for Schmidt

Argentina 17 Ireland 23

Ireland wrapped up the tour with a second successive win over the Pumas having not won on Argentine soil before and if the experimental nature of the Irish squad is to be reduced in mitigation, then it also needs to be taken into account that the home side were also significantly understrength.

Indeed, it could be argued that the Pumas got more out of this tour and have unearthed a level of talent unprecedented in the Argentine game and will approach the upcoming Rugby Championship with renewed confidence.