Revenge not on the menu against Argentina, says realist Schmidt

Joe Schmidt has insisted revenge will not be a motivation for Ireland when they face their World Cup conquerors Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

A heavy quarter-final defeat at the 2015 World Cup in Cardiff has been a painful touchstone for Schmidt and Ireland ever since that November night when the Pumas exploited an inexperienced side missing the injured Paul O’Connell, Johnny Sexton, Peter O’Mahony and Jared Payne as well as the suspended Sean O’Brien.

The 43-20 loss has fuelled Schmidt’s determination for Ireland not to be left so exposed by injuries to frontliners again, a point further evidenced by Saturday’s selection of a second-string XV to face Fiji in Dublin. The first rematch with Argentina since the World Cup is now next in line as Ireland close out their 2017 Guinness Series but though the Ireland management will use the quarter-final as a reference point in terms of video analysis during this week’s preparations, revenge will not be offered as a motivational tool.