Argies gearing up for Irish encounter

Argentina, Ireland's opponents on Saturday week, had a convincing 45-9 victory over Italy A at the Maurizio Natali Stadium in Colleferro, southeast of Rome, on Tuesday evening.

In the process the Pumas scored six tries, two by wing José Nuñez Piossek.

The Pumas were well on top in the first half and led 14-3 at the break. Flyhalf Juan de la Cruz Fernández Miranda kicked three penalty goals before Nunez Piossek got a try.

On half time Darrell Eigner, Italy A's South African flyhalf, kicked a penalty goal after the Puma hooker Juan José Villar had been sent to the sin bin by Dave Pearson, the English referee.

Eigner started the scoring in the second half to bring the score to 14-6. After that it was one-way traffic as centre Martín Gaitán, lock Patricio Albacete, flank Martín Schusterman, inside centre Juan Martín Hernández and finally Nunez Piossek scored tries. Juan de la Cruz Fernández Miranda converted three of the tries.