Joe Schmidt cautions on Puma provocation

Joe Schmidt will urge his players to turn the other cheek against Argentina tomorrow if Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final opponents attempt the types of provocation that saw Seán O’Brien banned for striking France’s Pascal Pape.

The Ireland head coach kept his counsel on Pape’s involvement in the disciplinary process last Tuesday that saw O’Brien suspended for tomorrow’s knockout clash with the Pumas.

The lock sent in testimony that did the Ireland flanker no favours as he described injuries sustained in the flashpoint as the back-rower lashed out after being held off the ball at a ruck, despite the fact Pape completed another 72 minutes of France’s 24-9 Pool D defeat.