Irish giants plan to get physical

The bitter disappointment of defeat was not allowed to linger as the Ireland squad was whisked away for a bruising training session 24 hours after losing their opening SANZAR Invitational Championship game against France on Saturday.

The Irish management convened a team meeting prior to training during which they made their views patently clear and with that the French debacle was consigned to the history books. The squad's sole focus is the match against Argentina today and the opportunity, however difficult, to redirect Irish momentum in the tournament.

Coach Brian McLaughlin spoke of an "in your face" brand of rugby as Ireland prepared to get aggressively physical for their tilt at the hosts. He added: "We don't fear either side (the other being New Zealand whom Ireland meet on Friday) after watching their game on Saturday. There were plenty of things that we spotted which we feel that we can exploit. Certainly, we are very capable of beating Argentina." The shift in emphasis with relation to Ireland's game plan means that the management are considering at least four changes from the French game. The composition of the backrow will be deliberated extensively and both Des Dillon, a replacement on Saturday, and UCD's Aidan Kearney will be strongly considered for starting places, along with Cork Constitution's Donnacha O'Callaghan who will definitely start.

If Robert Casey's ankle injury fails to respond to treatment then O'Callaghan will be co-opted into the second row: otherwise he will play on the blindside flank. Garryowen's Paul Neville and Cambridge University student Michael Haslett flanked captain Leo Cullen in the backrow against France but given a commitment to an increasingly physical approach Dillon, Kearney or both may find favour.

If that is the policy pursued then a little history will be made as Ireland will field the biggest backrow ever at any level. Dillon (6ft 6in), Kearney (6ft 7in), O'Callaghan (6ft 6in) and Cullen (6ft 6in) are gargantuan and with the possible return of Casey at 6ft 7in, it would mean that UCC student Mick O'Driscoll would be the smallest member of the Irish back five at a diminutive 6ft 5in, no matter what the composition.

Blackrock College lock Casey has received a continuous regime of physiotherapy to speed his recovery from an ankle injury that forced him to leave the pitch after only 13 minutes of the French game. He suffered a similar problem while touring with the senior squad in Australia during the summer.

On that occasion, he was back within three days and he is optimistic that he will be available for selection. The damage occurred because of a simple incident. Casey managed a tap on the opposition throw but the props who were holding him in the air chased the loose ball and Casey descended from a great height, landing awkwardly on his ankle. He was immediately dispatched back to the hotel with physiotherapist Mary Walsh, his ankle placed in an air cast.

Jeremy Staunton's performance will be discussed and the management may consider the introduction of St Mary's College out-half Mark McHugh. It would be a little harsh on the Garryowen youngster, who is not likely to ape Saturday's poor performance. One suspects that he will start with the proviso of an early withdrawal should his form remain patchy.

The composition of the three-quarter line will inspire debate with McLaughlin tempted to move David Quinlan from the right wing to his more natural position of inside centre. The former schools' international is a superbly aggressive tackler and most of Argentina's attacking gambits stem from the 1012-13 axis.

Tom Keating may then move to the right wing with Bryn Cunningham introduced at full back, a position in which he played for much of the season with Bective Rangers.

Argentina, despite being beaten 36-21 by New Zealand, produced some good rugby, particularly up front where the structured driving of the pack made huge inroads. They also boast a formidable scrum that gave the All Black colts a torrid time for long periods of Saturday's match. It is easy to discern the benefit that Argentina received from undertaking a four-match tour of South Africa prior to the start of the tournament. They only arrived home on the Monday prior to the start of the competition. The squad contains 19 of players who triumphed in the FIRA under-19 championship three seasons ago, hammering Ireland in the semi-final.

Ireland face a tough assignment, exacerbated by the French defeat, but nevertheless they are aware that to harbour any hopes of making the top four, this is a match they simply must win.

Ireland's game against Argentina kicks off at 7.40 p.m. Irish time.