Joe Schmidt closing gaps to prevent Cardiff repeat

Joe Schmidt insists this evening’s match with Argentina has nothing to do with revenge, but he does not deny that the 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat has informed the Ireland boss’s approach to this Guinness Series finale.

No grudges, then, but plenty of lessons to be taken from that Irish nightmare in Cardiff 25 months ago, when Schmidt’s injury-hit, inexperienced side gifted the Pumas a 17-point start in the opening 12 minutes, reeled them back into a three-point game at 23-20 with 28 minutes remaining and then wilted all over again to go down 43-20.

Such is Schmidt’s voracious rugby memory that he can recall it all in forensic detail, and has this week used those key moments to forearm his current crop so as not to repeat the same mistakes when the Pumas come calling to the Aviva Stadium for a first November Test since 2012.