Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll believes Saturday's game against Argentina holds as much importance for his team as this month's victory over world champions Australia.
The stand-in skipper led his side to a famous 18-9 victory over the Wallabies 11 days ago that increased Ireland's standing in world rugby immeasurably.
That was followed by a nine-try romp against Fiji last Sunday, but yesterday O'Driscoll claimed losing to the Pumas this weekend would send the Irish back to square one.
"It's nice knowing that we have two international wins under our belt but, having said that, it wouldn't be a nice feeling coming away from the weekend having lost," said O'Driscoll.
"Our total and utter focus has gone into winning this and if we did win it would mean we've had a very successful November.
"Beating Australia was massive for us as a team, it gave the crowd a great day and gave them an inkling of what it could potentially be like. I think they want more days like that as much as we do, so long may it last.
"But it would be something hanging over us if we didn't win it. It would probably undo a lot of the good work we've done in beating Australia and Fiji.
Ireland have lost twice to Argentina in recent years, most painfully in 1999 when the Pumas upset the odds and knocked the men in green out of the World Cup on neutral territory in Lens.
PA