Our scrum should probably be worried.
Ireland’s scrum has generally been pretty solid through this World Cup, even if it creaked at times against France last Sunday.
By far our shakiest day out was against Italy when the players, or Joe Schmidt, didn’t seem to understand how the scrum was being refereed by Jerome Garces and his officials.
So this evening’s news that the Frenchman will take charge of Sunday’s clash with Argentina is unlikely to be too pleasing to the Kiwi or Ireland’s front row.
Schmidt was hugely critical of Garces after the pool win over Italy when the referee appeared to change his mind on various scrum decisions.
The reaction to his appointment online has been mixed
Jérôme Garces is reffing a quarter final 😂 And poor old Scotland, they've got Pocock's BFF Craig Joubert to deal with on Sunday! #RWC2015
— Rhys Knott (@wrhys_writes) October 13, 2015
jerome garces. Could be worse. We could have Barnes. #IREvARG https://t.co/2m2BqJQus4
— Catherine Kavanagh (@KavanaghCk) October 13, 2015
Oh dear Garces is reffing the Ireland game this week. Best behaviour everyone
— Roarz (@Roarzz) October 13, 2015
Although if Johnny Sexton is fit then he might not be all that bad.
Some interesting Ref facts. Ref with highest Penalty Goal Avg per game is: Jerome Garces, 8.33 Pen Kicks #RWC2015 #FRA
— RugbyRefs.com (@RugbyRefscom) October 13, 2015
