Irish set to get physical

What strikes you on arrival at Cartha rugby club is the bizarre sight of American Football style posts. Also, the main pitch was cultivated on a mound that reaches its highest point near half-way. The captain's run last night familiarised the Irish under-21s with those issues, leaving tonight's main obstacle a physically intimidating Argentinian pack (Dumbreck, Glasgow, 5 p.m.).

Although the 2004 vintage's destiny will not be decided by the result of this second pool match, victory would send them to Edinburgh for Saturday's French test in poll position to make the semi-finals. Defeat would leave them seeking a bonus point from that encounter.

"They have a strong scrum and use moves off their lineout which incorporate their entire back row," said coach Mark McDermott. "We are going to have to be on top of our game. They are a typically Argentinian, very physical up front and when the opportunity comes they have the pace out wide.

"We have identified areas that we think they are a little bit weak, so we are going to try and exploit those in the first half. If everything goes according to plan, that will suck in their strengths."

The management have named the same side which overawed Tonga last Thursday. There is one change on the bench as Anthony Kavanagh replaces Oisín Hennessy, as the Garryowen man can fill all three positions in the back row.

Ireland will be keen to bring their speedster wingers Tommy Bowe and Richard Lane into the action from the start, as a war of attrition with the Argentinian eight may be to their detriment.

Argentina are a team to be reckoned with, as they proved from their third place showing in last year's tournament and 43-10 win over Italy on day one. Their influential openside Juan Manuel Leguizamon is suspended for head-butting, but they still come in with a set of forwards who are ultra competitive at the breakdown.

"They are a good side," continued McDermott. "They beat Italy well and have a physical pack and especially a good back row. Four of their six tries against Italy came from turnovers."

If Ireland can get enough clean ball up front and the half-back pair of Tomás O'Leary, son of Cork hurling selector Seanie, and Gareth Steenson can find their rhythm early this Irish back line will do damage.

Centres Glen Telford and John Hearty will make inroads into the first line of defence, which will allow the predator-like instincts of those outside to add to the four-try haul they have already accumulated. Yet, they must first be afforded the space to do so.

New Zealand and Australia will pick up their second wins, along with a bonus points, tonight as they play minnows Russia and Tonga, so realistically there are only two remaining spots left in the top four. South Africa, England and France are all here with strong sides, so the stakes couldn't be much higher this evening.

IRELAND UNDER-21 (v Argentina): A Finn; R Lane, J Hearty, G Telford, T Bowe; G Steenson, T O'Leary; J Wickham, D Fogarty, D Fitzpatrick; D Gannon (capt), S O'Connor; B O'Connor, D O'Brien, J Heaslip.