AS THEY PREPARE to take on Andy Farrell’s international side at the Aviva Stadium this Friday evening, Argentina assistant coach Kendrick Lynn has admitted it is ‘an added bonus’ that there are two men within their ranks who possess inside knowledge of Irish rugby.
In addition to Felipe Contepomi – a former Leinster player who subsequently served as their backs coach from 2018 to 2022 – being in charge of the team, Connacht star Santiago Cordero is also part of the current Argentine set-up and was amongst the tries when the Pumas defeated Italy 50-18 in Udine last Saturday.
While New Zealand native Lynn (who took up his role as assistant coach in June of this year) says they haven’t leaned too heavily on either Contepomi or Cordero in their initial build-up to the game, he acknowledged it is an advantage that both men are acquainted with so many players in the Irish camp.
“Felipe knows Irish rugby so well and Leinster. There’s a fair bit of that, but to be honest we haven’t doubled down or spoken to Santi about anything really too particular. We’re trying to nail off how we want to play and keep doing what we’re doing,” Lynn remarked in a Zoom call earlier today.
“We understand what the Ireland team can bring, the type of team they are. The strength that they have, their individual players and their skill set. It will help that guys like Santi have been here and they know them and obviously we’ve the experience of Felipe. I guess it’s an added bonus.”
Having been sidelined for the majority of their 2023/24 campaign with an ACL injury – he regained full fitness in time to make two appearances at the tail end of the term – Cordero has finally enjoyed a sustained run of games in the green of Connacht this season. The former Exeter Chiefs and Bordeaux player has featured in all six outings that the westerners have played in the United Rugby Championship to date, but he had already returned to the Argentinian fold before Connacht got up and running in their latest URC campaign.
There was 65 minutes gone on the clock when Cordero crossed the Italian whitewash last weekend and the manner in which he grabbed his try was particularly pleasing from Lynn’s perspective.
“That came from just massive work off the ball. He recognised that there was an opportunity. He was on the far side of the field, he was by himself. Then he made a good, early decision and he worked really hard off the ball. Then he was there to score and finish.
“It was good to see him using his footwork, because that’s a real strength of his. He’s a great man to have in the back line, he’s really positive and his style of play really suits us.”
Joining Lynn on yesterday’s Zoom call was Juan Martin Gonzalez – who lined out at blindside flanker for Argentina’s victory at the expense of Italy.
Having already secured wins against world champions South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and France in the current calendar year, Gonzalez and the Pumas are now looking to pick up their first-ever win over Ireland in Dublin.
They will be facing an Irish side that are looking to regroup in the wake of a disappointing performance and result at home to New Zealand in their opening Autumn Nations Series test last Friday, but Gonzalez believes this could make them an even tougher proposition for their upcoming meeting on Lansdowne Road.
“It’s true that they didn’t perform really well against the All Blacks, but they lost their last game, so I think they are coming with more strength. That is one thing and it is really hard to play here in Ireland. The stadium is going to be amazing, all the people are going to be crazy, but for us that is good. We like that challenge,” Gonzalez explained.
Although four of those that Contepomi included in his 35-man selection for their November internationals against Italy, Ireland and France are based domestically, the vast majority of the Argentina squad are playing their club rugby in Europe at the moment. Gonzalez falls into the latter category and is now in his second season at English Premiership outfit Saracens.
Before throwing in his lot with Sarries, Gonzalez spent two seasons at London Irish – making 37 appearances under the stewardship of ex-Ireland head coach Declan Kidney. Both he and fellow Argentine international Lucio Cinti made the move to Saracens after Irish were placed into administration in 2023 and Gonzalez is enjoying life at a club that is spearheaded by Bangor’s Mark McCall.
“I went to London Irish when I was 20 years old and it was amazing. I really enjoyed that. It’s true that we don’t have other chances. You have to go to other places if you want to be in Pumas,” Gonzalez added.
“Now we have three teams in Argentina that are really good, but at that moment we didn’t have [any]. That’s why I went to London Irish and it was a really good experience.
“Saracens is amazing. I really love to be there and to play there. The people are really good with me and I’m really excited to keep playing there.”
I think that this statement says it all. It is all about having Leinster win at all costs. Humphries has the neck to say oh we really facilitated Munster with the three month contract for Beuler. I understand that he he is a Sharks player but on the day he leaves Munsters three loose head props are all injured and Humphries is most concerned about Leinster’s pathway to success for next season and into the future. It is difficult not to feel totally screwed.
@Brian Gallivan: I don’t think that it is but it’s now put the focus on the need to have flexibility with the rules and definitely have exceptions, which hasn’t been the case. Leinster have hopefully convinced the IRFU to be more flexible and this should benefit all the provinces. Notice, I’ve used the word “should”, if not then we will have animosity which helps no one.
@Brian Gallivan: seems more like a general rolling back on the stated policy. I didn’t see anything there about Leinster specifically having different treatment, though he did mention money and Leinster have been doing well out of playing in the Aviva
@Mark O’Keeffe: Honestly it doesn’t feel that way to me. We won’t go to the Irish game on Saturday can’t move the feeling that Munster are being screwed by the IRFU. Something else quite interesting reports that Munster are signing Milne and Barron from Leinster Milne is injured at the moment but Barron nowhere near the squad last weekend despite Kelliher and McCarthy being with the Irish squad.
@Brian Gallivan: bizarre that’s what you got from his quotes. Leinster are not getting preferential treatment. I reckon you had this comment typed out ready to go before you even read the article
@adizlack93: Of course he did. Typed with one hand and the beggars bowl in the other. Didn’t you know dastardly Leinster are 100% responsible for the previous years of mismanagement off the pitch by Munster
@Carmine Lorenzo: the early success Munster had has really given some of their fans a sense of entitlement. Like it’s their god given right to be on top yet they can’t produce their own players to maintain the success of old and so demand that the IRFU helps to level the playing field at every opportunity
@adizlack93: Yeah there is definitely that with a part of their cohort alright. Will blame everyone else rather than looking inward. Thankfully we get a few very balanced fans on here too.
@Brian Gallivan: it was agreed with Sharks when he was returning. It’s not hard to understand.
@adizlack93: SAD
@Carmine Lorenzo: You are even sadder
@adizlack93: you’ve made no counterpoint. You’ve just ridiculed his comment. A very clear example of Bleur was given and Humphries statement here goes against every single statement made prior. You can blindly defend the preferential treatment of Leinster if you must, but it’ll be for the longterm detriment of Irish rugby.
@Brian Gallivan: Munster are being screwed by the IRFU!? You’re having a laugh. With your own debt star down there that the IRFU have continually facilitated debt restructuring for and even now with IRFU S&C resources down there bailing you out of the mess you made for yourselves, plus Codling helping out despite the fact that he’s meant to be full time with the womens team coming into their 6Ns. The IRFU have facilitated and bailed Munster out plenty over the years. The chip on the shoulder is ridiculous at this stage.
@Sam Bingham: I couldnt care less Sam. I support Leinster and Ireland. Thats all.
@Brian Gallivan: I think that goes both ways, once players have decided to leave they are less likely to get minutes. That’s why not seeing more of Frawley is worrying me :-)
@John Molloy: you mean the 12 million loan that munster received to build the stadium wheres leinster got 16 million for free this year to develop. Who is receiving special treatment again?
@Brian Gallivan: The irony is your 2 responses in this way are the saddest in an otherwise interesting conversation. It is hard not to see your point of view as the last NIQ Prop signed was by Leinster (excluding jokers) and then the first sign of it being relaxed less thab 12 months later is to resign the same player for Leinster. It is not a good look for the IRFU. BUT… how can DH be accused of a Leinster bias?? I would take it that he is being pragmatic and maybe he has relected and realised that he has to help development first and foremost before inflicting untold damage on the chances of success for ALL 4 provinces. Yes, success is more likely for Leinster right now, but that is for multiple reasons, not just this.
RG signing for Leinster last summer was never going to be one year, the dogs on the street knew that. Silami in the same boat. One rule for one province and another rule for the other 3.
@Liam23: hah you salty little falla
@Liam23: what’s your problem? Leinster are entitled to 3 NIQ players in their squad. All 3 have been good this season. It makes sense to re-sign both. Munster are signing players hand over fist. Nankivell, Kleyn and Abrahams will also all be there next year. The irony is astonishing.
@Liam23: Yep, no NIQs anywhere else. Remember when Leinster had 3 saffer born locks on good money at the same time? Disgrace
@Liam23: One rule for one province and … eh… Dian Bleuler… for everyone else?
@Liam23: what are the different rules exactly? Munster signed and extended Snyman. Now Leinster are. Seems the same to me. Munster have been allowed sign and resign plenty of NIQs over the years.
@Liam23: Liam, remind me again how many years RG was a Munster player?
@Liam23: We won’t hear from Liam because he has been silenced by facts disproving his paper thin argument.
If there is some flexibility for NIQ players, can we keep Bleuler at Munster?
@Colm Tarpey: Agreed, this only makes sense if Bleuler can stay. Flexibility and pragmatism are needed by the IRFU.
@Colm Tarpey: from what I’ve heard it’s more to do with his club wanting him back
@Con Cussed: Sharks would have to agree to that also
@Colm Tarpey: The sharks might have something to say about that given that they employ the player.
@Mark O’Keeffe: Absolutely and no guarantee they would!
@Con Cussed: in fact, the belief is that Munster were allowed to attempt to extend it, but the Sharks refused.
@Robert McGee: this. There’s this weird belief out there that Blueler leaving is somehow the IRFUs fault when anyone who makes an effort to understand what’s going on knows, the Sharks had loaned him to Munster and now want him back. If Munster were able to develop a prop worth a damn in the last decade then this wouldn’t be an issue.
@Colm Tarpey: if you can persuade the Sharks to agree.
Nothing to do with IRFU.
@Colm Tarpey: No, because the Sharks want him back. So there is nothing the IRFU or Munster can do about it. Unless the Sharks are willing for his contract to be bought out.
Talking about Thomas Clarkson coming through and “concerns being eased” in the prop development area but extending Slimani’s deal who keeps Clarkson out of the match-day squad for big games, comical
@Mícheál: Totally but rowing back on the prop thing was always going to be embarrassing. The only good thing is that it’s happened so quickly.
@Mícheál: So are you suggesting that Leinster go into next season with just Furlong and Clarkson as senior tighthead props? A Furlong with a grand total of two appearances for Leinster this season and these days rarely gets into double figures for appearances for Leinster? McGuire is in the academy and there is no confirmation that he is going onto a senior deal, yet. Munster have 4 senior TH props if you need context. Think before you type.
@Mícheál: Clarkson has played in 3 of Leinsters 4 Champions Cup games and 6 of their 10 URC games while also playing in 2 of Irelands 4 AIs leading to him being named in the 6Ns squad where it looks like he’ll be getting game time again. Slimani isn’t impacting his game time in any meaningful way. And he’s also helping to develop his scrummaging.
@Carmine Lorenzo: They could always sign a couple from the Champo like Ulster, no?
@Mícheál: IRFU can easily stipulate that Slimani can’t take minutes from Clarkson, as they have done with RG and McCarthy/Ryan, if it’s felt that is best for Clarkson’s development. No need for outrage
@Carmine Lorenzo: Hi Carmine, that’s a great point that you’re making, potentially the issue is that the recent hype surrounding the production line in Leinster is misguided. They cannot seem to produce players in lots of positions and have to outsource for many options. As you’ve correctly pointed out, they’re struggling to produce props (including LH after Porter with 37 year old Healy still next in line). Their best prop has being Slimani, best lock has been RG, best 9 JGP, best centre Henshaw, and best back 3 player being Lowe – with none of these coming through the academy at Leinster. Have a good one, Carmine.
@Mícheál: And yet Leinster have provided 5 of the 6 props to the original Ireland squad? Think before you type.
@Carmine Lorenzo: maybe that’s why we can’t win a scrum, another good point
Let Munster sign Bleuler for next season. Whether the IRFU wants to admit it or not, Ireland don’t produce an abundance of props. If you want them to be competitive, they need to sign guys that will make that big impact in the front row and also mentor and younger guys coming through. Just telling each province they must develop their own isn’t realistic.
@mcdb06: he’s contracted to the Sharks. They can’t extend his contract because Sharks want him back. Why do so few people seem to know this!? It’s been publicly stated multiple times now.
@John Molloy: That’s why I said next season. It is possible for players to get out of a contract and move.
If they are going to continue to supply 3 full front rows every time there is an international window, there should be some flexibility, yeah.
As per usual the rules get broken to suit Leinster.
The biggest cheaters in the history of rugby.
@Tommy Kennedy: meanwhile Munster with 4 NIQ players on their books
@Tommy Kennedy: Please explain to the class how Leinster are the biggest cheaters in rugby? On a day when it was revealed that Toulouse, got Jaminet, to take out personal loans, to buy his contract out with Perpignan. So they could stay within the Salary cap. I’m looking forward to your factual response here.
@Tommy Kennedy: What rules are been broken Thomas? Ye are some bunch of whingers. We didn’t hear Leinster fans whinging when Munster had half of the South African national team.
Leinster are in a different position to the other provinces they are trying to win the champions cup. Therefore if they can afford to do it they should be entitled to sign whoever they want regarding NIQ players despite IRFU policy on props. Why should Leinster be held back?
Ohhh yeahhh