O’DRISCOLL SEES ATTACK OF PUMAS AS A GOOD TEST
By DAIRE WALSH
BRIAN O’DRISCOLL has earmarked Ireland’s narrow defence as a potential weak spot ahead of tonight’s Test.
A solitary defeat to Australia – in 16 internationals suggests Joe Schmidt’s side is in rude health but O’Driscoll expects Argentina to apply considerable pressure on the flanks: “You look at Rugby Championship and how Argentina have conversely been very good in attack but very poor in defence,” said the former Ireland skipper.
“What I really like about this fixture is how will they stretch us in the wide channels. That’s been our Achilles heel.
“Any time that we’ve struggled over the past two years, we’ve got narrow. We got narrow at the weekend against a lesser team in Italy. This is a better quality team, definitely a considerably better back-three that can beat players one-on-one.
“It’s a great test for us in advance of the All Blacks game because our perceived frailties will be tested.”
In the absence of Rob Kearney, O’Driscoll believes another big game from Jordan Larmour – who scored a hat-trick of tries in the 54-7 crushing of Italy – could boost his Test prospects.
He added: “I still see Jordan as quite raw. Let’s give him a little bit of time to work the finesse and other parts of his game that maybe don’t organically come as naturally as his ball carrying and his footwork. His defending I still think has a little bit of work to do.
“If he has another big day besides what he does going forward. If the rest of his game is very good then he definitely puts his hand up for a starting berth.”
Despite the growing number of options in both half-back positions, O’Driscoll believes Jonathan Sexton and the injured Conor Murray remain pivotal. Of Leinster star Sexton he said: “Joey Carbery has done very well for Munster but I still think at international level there’s still enough of a gap to Johnny.”