Variety of Ireland attack too much for jaded Pumas

Autumn International
Sky Sports Main Event & Action, RTE2, 5.30pm Saturday

Argentina ended a seven-match losing run with victory in Rome last week but that 31-15 success means the only teams the Pumas have beaten this year are Georgia and Italy.

It's true their other opponents have been the three Sanzar giants plus England three times, but Argentina look so far removed from the team that stunned Ireland with a 43-20 blitz in the quarter-finals of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

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It has been a long year for the Argentina players, with the heavy travel commitments of a draining Super 14 and Rugby Championship campaign, and a clash with an Ireland team who looked so physical yet precise in their win over South Africa a fortnight ago looks like one Test too far.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt rested most of his big guns for last week's narrow win against Fiji and the returning players will surely be fired up to put in another shift after that impressive and utterly convincing display against the Boks.

Ordinarily Argentina might look to turn the match into a forward-powered slugfest with plenty of tactical kicking. But Ireland dominated those facets of play against South Africa. Half-back pairing Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton provide variety to their kicking game, the set-piece is in good order, and Connacht's Bundee Aki, earning his second cap, adds physical presence as well as attacking flair to the backline.

It's hard to see a jaded Pumas side having many answers to the variety of threats Ireland can offer and a big home win looks on the cards.

Recommendation
Ireland -15
2pts Evs Betfair, Paddy Power

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