Rugby Under-21 World CupAs expected from the outset, Ireland will ultimately have to better Wales's results against the same three opponents if they are to reach the semi-finals of the Under-21 World Cup in England.
However, the third and last day of the pool stages has given them a stiffer task than they would have ideally liked.
Basically, Ireland not only have to beat Argentina (themselves still in the hunt for the semi-finals) at Iffley Road today (kick-off 6 p.m.), they also have to obtain a bonus point by scoring at least four tries.
Furthermore, they must then hope that Wales not only lose to South Africa, but fail to pick up a bonus point, and in the process Ireland must make up a 27-point leeway in the points differential on the Welsh.
It is a tall order. "We've got to concentrate on what we can do," stressed Irish team manager Davey Haslett yesterday.
"Our first job is to win the match, and our second job is to score four tries and get a bonus point, and, after that, then we'll see what happens elsewhere."
The 'Pumitas', cut as they are from a typical Argentinian cloth, are not inclined to roll over and have their bellies tickled.
What's more, they have a couple more points than Ireland, and so therefore have a clearer sighting of Wednesday's semi-finals - victory for them and defeat for the Welsh would earn them an historic place in the last four.
Their ruggedness against the Welsh saw them hammering away at their opponents' line in search of a match-winning try after trailing by 24-9 early in the second half, and their refusal to concede a fourth try has actually kept Ireland mathematically in the frame for the semi-finals.
Their points came exclusively from the boot of Alfredo Cordone, but they exerted fierce pressure on the Welsh pack through a trademark forwardorientated, mauling game.
Carlos Lizaraga, the Argentinian manager, commented after that encounter: "The strength of the side will be seen in the next match as we still have hopes of coming second. The bonus point today may prove very important."
Argentina have only conceded four tries to date, and, just as pertinently, Ireland have only scored four.
Ireland have also been hit by the withdrawal from the tournament of their influential back-rower and captain, Simon Keogh, with a back injury, thereby compounding the pre-competition loss of prop John Lyne.
"It's a big blow to the team and has taken away a lot of the power, strength and experience in the pack," admits Haslett, who nonetheless detects a determination to atone for Keogh's loss.
The Irish manager admits Ireland "can't afford to get involved in a heavy, forward-orientated, slugging match".
"We've been working hard on our contact skills, providing quicker ball by getting it away early."
As befits the needs of the day, in addition to rejigging the back row by recalling John Muldoon, Ireland have added more pace out wide.
Keith Matthews has reverted to centre while Richard Lane has been promoted to the wing, with the pacy and inventive Tommy Bowe also restored to the bench.
There is also a titanic four-way tussle for two semi-final places in the other half of the draw, where the winners of the Australia-New Zealand showdown will reach the last four, but the losers could miss out to the winners of the France-England encounter, with the French better placed and seemingly in better form to do so.
ARGENTINA: F Bosch; T de Vedia, J Ignicio Ghidara, M Lecot, L Villanueva; A Cordone, M Torres; E Guinazu, A Vernet Basualdo, J Gonzalez, E Lozada, P Zabloy, A Bordoy, J Ignicio Ghidara, A Galindo. Replacements: M Ayerza, P Henn, F Barni, J M Leguizamon, A Lalanne, G Graco, H San Martin.
IRELAND: P O'Brien (UCC); R Lane (UCC), K Matthews (UL Bohs), G Telford (Instonians), J Hearty (Blackrock College); M Rainey (Glasgow Hawks, Capt), F O'Loughlin (Shannon); J Moran (UCD), R Best (Belfast Harlequins), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins), D Gannon (UCD), N McComb (Dundee Highschool), J Muldoon (Galwegians), C Potts (St Mary's College), N Ronan (Lansdowne). Replacements: K Corrigan (UCD), E McGovern (Old Crescent), S Crawford (UCD), M McComish (Ballymena), C O'Loughlin (Buccaneers), D McAllister (Terenure College), T Bowe (Queens University).
Previous results
Day One: Pools A/D - South Africa 36 Ireland 27; Argentina 62 Canada 13; Scotland 19 Wales 37. Pools B/C - Australia 52 England 22; France 34 Italy 7; Japan 14 New Zealand 61.
Day Two: Pools A/D - South Africa 102 Canada 10; Argentina 18 Wales 24; Scotland 15 Ireland 21. Pools B/C - Australia 24 Italy 5; France 23 New Zealand 26; Japan 3 England 69.
POOLS A/D
P W D L F A B Ps
South Africa 2 2 0 0 138 37 2 10
Wales 2 2 0 0 61 37 1 9
Argentina 2 1 0 1 80 37 2 6
Ireland 2 1 0 1 48 51 0 4
Scotland 2 0 0 2 34 58 1 1
Canada 2 0 0 2 23 164 0 0
Today's fixtures
Pools A/D (all 6 p.m. kick-offs) - South Africa v Wales, Newbury; Argentina v Ireland, Iffley Road; Scotland v Canada, Henley.
POOLS B/C
P W D L F A B Ps
Australia 2 2 0 0 78 27 2 10
New Zealand 2 2 0 0 87 37 1 9
France 2 1 0 1 57 33 2 6
England 2 1 0 1 91 55 1 5
Italy 2 0 0 2 12 58 0 0
Japan 2 0 0 2 17 130 0 0
Today's fixtures
Pools B/C (all 2 p.m. kick-offs) - Australia v New Zealand, Newbury; France v England, Henley; Japan v Italy, Iffley Road.
