Formidable Task Facing Ireland Development

The Ireland Development XV face a tough assignment this evening in Donnybrook when they take on a strong Argentine side (kick-off 7pm). The Pumas, with a win over Italy A under their belts include three players – Pedro Sporleder, Martin Durand and Juan de la Cruz Fernandez Miranda – who all made appearances for the senior team in Rome last weekend while the seven replacements are all expected to feature on the side to face Ireland on Saturday.

So, to say that it’s a big ask for the Matt Williams/Steph Nel coached Irish combination, is putting it mildly. They came together for their first session on Monday and it’s a side whose only international is Justin Fitzpatrick on the bench and he was only added to the side when Connacht’s Ronan McCormack cried off.

It is an opportunity for players to show their mettle and the spotlight will settle mainly on Bryn Cunningham at full-back, Gavin Duffy in particular, and David Quinlan in the centre, Brian O’Riordan at scrum-half, hooker, Paul Shields, Munster lock Donncha O’Callaghan, flanker Johnny O’Connor and number 8 Des Dillon.

Ireland Development XV. B Cunningham (Dungannon); T Robinson (Buccaneers), G Duffy (Galwegians), D Quinlan (Blackrock), M Lawlor (Shannon); M McHugh (St Mary’s), B O’Riordan (UCD); S Best (Belfast Harlequins), P Shields (Ballymena) (capt), P Bracken (Galwegians); D O’Callaghan (Cork Con), A Kearney (Dungannon); A McCullen (Lansdowne), J O’Connor (Galwegians), D Dillon (UCD).

Argentina. B Stortoni; J Nunez Piossek, M Oziton, M Contepomi, W Senillosa; J Fernandez Miranda, N Fernandez Miranda (capt); M Scelzo, J Jose Villar, S Gonzalez Bonorino; P Albzaete, P Sporleder; M Durand, M Shusterman, I Fernandez Lobbe.