Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Ross out to boss Pumas

- FROM ALEX BYWATER in Buenos Aires FROM ALEX SPINK Rugby Correspond­ent in Durban @alexspinkm­irror

ROSS MORIARTY made a mammoth 26 tackles against Argentina – the most by any internatio­nal player during last weekend’s bumper Super Saturday action.

And now the giant forward (above) is ready to go to war again in Santa Fe on Saturday and seal what would be a first Test series victory for Wales in the land of the Pumas since 1999, following last weekend’s 23-10 success.

No.8 Moriarty has been in barnstormi­ng form this summer despite being on the sidelines at Gloucester at the back end of last season and long periods out injured this term.

He said: “Argentina have some massive forwards and I was just happy to get in there and make the tackles. Even though it hurts, it’s so worth it.

“I do like carrying the ball which I didn’t get to do too much, but to make the most tackles of any internatio­nal player last Saturday is something to be proud of.” CHRIS ROBSHAW is sweating on his England place – three weeks after captaining his country.

Confirmati­on last night that Joe Launchbury is fit to face South Africa in Saturday’s do-or-die second Test means Brad Shields is not needed as an emergency second row.

That increases the likelihood of a back row reshuffle and the Kiwiborn flanker (right) getting his full debut in Bloemfonte­in.

England, without a win since February, were schooled at the breakdown last weekend and cannot afford a repeat.

Robshaw has won 65 caps, 43 as England captain, and has never been dropped by head coach Eddie Jones.

But at 32 he is five years older than Shields, who has already impressed England forwards coach Steve Borthwick. “Brad is a vastly

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 ??  ?? HIS TIME COULD BE UP Robshaw – catching here in line-out practice – is set to lose his place to Brad Shields
HIS TIME COULD BE UP Robshaw – catching here in line-out practice – is set to lose his place to Brad Shields

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