IRELAND MADE A fine start to their November with a six-try win over Argentina on Friday night, and now the challenge is to back it up with another convincing performance against Fiji.

The Flying Fijians, led by recently appointed head coach Jake White, suffered a heavy loss to France on Saturday, but they will look to test Ireland at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.

World Cup winner White aims to bring more discipline and tactical smarts to Fiji’s undoubtedly dangerous attacking game, so Ireland are keen not to lose concentration on the task at hand, given that the visit of South Africa the following weekend now looms.

Andy Farrell wants his Irish side to avoid dips in performance that fixtures like this Fiji one have sometimes brought in the past. So they’re keen to build on what they did in their 42-12 win over Argentina.

“It’s different,” said Ireland assistant coach John Fogarty of the Fiji match.

“We’ve won a game. If we’re talking about being consistent and putting out good performances, well then we have to reset. We’ve got to prepare properly and take Fiji on for what they are. So it’s different in lots of different ways.

“The most important thing for us now is owning the performance. There’s certainly some good bits in it, but there’s bits that we need to improve on as we move towards South Africa, as we move towards the Six Nations, as we move towards the World Cup.

“So I think that the squad is focused at the moment, and we’re in a good place.”

Ireland’s selection for this game will be interesting, with Farrell having lots of options for his match day 23 against the Fijians.

It may be tempting to allow strong performers from the Argentina match to continue their momentum, but Farrell has lots of other players in his wider squad who would appreciate a chance to play.

Ireland assistant coach John Fogarty. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

“The team will be named on Thursday,” said Fogarty.

“I think it’s important we’re all, from today, understanding what it is this squad needs to do to put out an improved performance on last week. So that’s what we’ll be focussing on.

“We’ll pick the best side for the fixture for now. But I think everyone’s focussing on what are the improvements that need to be made and we’ll get to team selection.”

One man who definitely won’t be in the Irish team this weekend is number eight Sean Jansen, whose Nations Championship campaign is over due to a knee injury.

This looked like being an important window for Jansen, given that Caelan Doris and Jack Conan were already sidelined, but he will return to Connacht to begin his rehabilitation.

“It’s a shame for Sean,” said Fogarty.

“He’s been really good at the start of the season with Connacht and came in, trained really, really well, wanted to put a marker down and he has done in training and it’s a shame he’s gotten that injury.

“But he’s a quality player, he’s a good professional, and there’s no doubt he’ll be back.”

Ireland will also be without captain Dan Sheehan, who suffered a concussion in the first half against Argentina.

But it does appear that Sheehan will return for the South Africa game if he recovers without any complications.

“It didn’t look like a huge amount on field, but he’s going to follow his 12-day return protocols,” said Fogarty.

“But look, it gives others opportunities.”