Eddie wary of using Tests to blood players

Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan admits he is wary of using Test matches to try out promising players on the fringe of selection and laments the end of ’A’ internationals.

O’Sullivan has made eight changes for Saturday’s clash with Argentina, selecting the same side which accounted for South Africa in the Triple Crown holders’ opening match of the Autumn series.

The 55-6 victory over the United States four days ago hinted at the depth of talent available to the Irish, with two Test debutants – Tommy Bowe and Denis Leamy – and a clutch of wider squad members contributing to an impressive performance.

But despite having half an eye on the 2007 World Cup, O’Sullivan has resisted the urge to continue blooding future prospects against Argentina – a powerful side full of confidence following their shock 24-14 triumph over France.

“We’re looking towards the World Cup in three years time and so the age of the players is being taken into account during selection,” he said.

“It’s not easy to introduce new players because of the lack of opportunity at ’A’ level – we do not have any games below Test matches.

“We want to win every game – you can’t say it’s only the Autumn Tests so let’s experiment like mad and see what happens.

“If you do that you’re not laying a cornerstone for the Six Nations and you end up losing Test matches, which you can’t afford to do. You don’t throw away these games to find out things.

“It’s a matter of trying to tread that line between putting a winning team on the field and trying out youngsters, but we’re hamstrung by not having a second tier below internationals.

“If you lose an ’A’ game it’s not the end of the world, but if you lose a Six Nations match that tends to be it in terms of winning the tournament. We’ve built up some momentum recently and we want to be keep it.”

Ireland’s clash with South Africa was a full-blooded encounter which saw Ireland match the physical challenge laid down by the Springboks and O’Sullivan knows the same is required against the Pumas.

“My players understand Argentina have to be met head-on in the physical stakes. Any time we’ve played them in the past without doing that, we’ve come out on the wrong side of the result,” he said.

“It’s a big game in that respect. It’s a game we can win but we’ll have to get it right to get the result. Argentina know that so there will be no quarter given on Saturday, just like any Test match.”