Even the Rumble in the Jungle didn't have this long a build-up. Ever since the draw was made in May 2002, Ireland and Argentina have been eyeing each other up.

It was always going to be the crunch match for both countries and, no matter how much each side may play it down, there's an unmistakeable whiff of grudge about it as well. It's got history, it's got present, and it's got future.

It's not that there's particularly bad blood between the sides, just that the fateful meeting in Lens four years and six days ago sent such tremors through both rugby-playing nations. "Lens" - whisper it quietly. Mere mention of the French city is enough to vividly recall that 28-24 World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Pumas.

Wrongly perhaps - for there have been worse days and certainly against far worse opposition - that night is considered the nadir of Irish rugby. But it probably cost millions, condemned the IRFU hierarchy to head-bowed embarrassment with their counterparts around the globe and condemned the Irish team to unwanted qualifiers against Russia and Georgia as well as costing them a top-eight seeding here. The IRFU have spent millions ensuring against Irish rugby going through all that again. But it all comes down to 80 or 90 minutes.

It also marked the night when Los Pumas captured the heart of the Argentinian sporting public. Agustin Pichot and his band of fellow Pumas became icons.

More and more were exported overseas. There's a fantastic crop of talent coming through, as evidenced by Argentina reaching the semi-finals of the last under-19 and under-21 World Cups. Argentina have arrived, and they're not inclined to go away.

Once again, there's effectively a quarter-final at stake. Ireland know a win will ensure them of a place in the last eight, leaving them to swing from the hip against Australia in Melbourne six days later in a duel for the top of Pool A and a more favourable last-eight draw. Unless it's a draw tomorrow, then bonus points are liable to be a red herring. For Los Pumas, it is win or bust.

That's a concern in itself. This is a proud Argentinian team, the greatest to ever come out of their country, crammed with wiles and experience, for whom this is a last hurrah. Most will never play in a World Cup again, and they've fostered the feeling that the world is against them. Pumas in a corner tend to bare their claws and fangs.

Although Ireland have six and Argentina a dozen of their 22 from Lens, both teams have moved on significantly since then. This Ireland has far more strings to its bow than a sequence of head-banging late charges, is less inclined to the collective panic attack of that night, has more leaders, and has far more of a winning talent - and no Irish side has ever been fitter or better prepared.

But the Pumas have matured even further as well, overcoming the lack of a professional domestic league, relative lack of funding and no major tournament outside of the World Cup by sending this vintage crop of players all over the world. They've retained all the old virtues and added a few more.

Eddie O'Sullivan yesterday highlighted full back Ignacio Corletto and wingers José Maria Nunez Piossek and Diego Albanese as "probably the most dangerous back three in the world from broken play. Everybody does focus on their pack but this is a very balanced team".

Despite overtures on behalf of Howlett, Rokocoko and Muliaina, by a Kiwi journalist, O'Sullivan wasn't for budging.

In truth Argentina's own back play has looked pretty ordinary, the sparks heretofore coming from the young fringe players Martin Gaitan and Juan Hernandez, substitutes tomorrow. With Gonzalo Quesada's metronomic kicking game recalled, they look even less equipped to move Ireland around and threaten out wide.

He will slow their back play down even more, and there'll be chances for charge-downs if Ireland play in his face.

Nevertheless, first and foremost Ireland are bracing themselves to meet Argentina in the trenches. They will have to at least survive in the scrums, where Los Pumas have picked their three meanest hombres and will focus their point of pressure on the opposing hooker in their almost mythological "bajada".

And around the fringes, where Gonzalo Longo, Rolando Martin, Federico Mendez and co like to rumble most, and Pichot likes to snipe. With Victor Costello's ball-carrying, and the defensive doggedness of Simon Easterby and Alan Quinlan, Ireland are primed for that.

Nothing Ireland have met in five handsome victories this season will have prepared them for this. For sure they will struggle at times to impose their own rhythm. Most teams invariably do against these arch-spoilers. And Argentina rarely dip below a very solid level of performance. Ireland will have to play well to beat them. Guaranteed.

The respective performances thus far haven't particularly inspired confidence in this scenario. Cleverly marshalling their resources with this game in mind, whether by design or not, Argentina haven't put their best team out or their best foot forward yet.

Despite picking stronger line-ups, Ireland haven't been notably better, but likewise you know they'll up their performance a few levels tomorrow.

In a dogfight, it's liable to come down to a gunslinger's duel between David Humphreys and Quesada, which narrows the margin for error. Even so, Ireland have more going for them. Although Marcelo Loffreda has picked his best lineout combinations, Ireland have supplemented an already superior lineout.

Were Quinlan, Malcolm O'Kelly and co to make serious inroads there, then the presence of a strong referee like Andre Watson is further reason for believing Los Pumas will be punished if they are forced on the back foot and become frustrated.

One hopes Ireland don't take Argentina on entirely at their own game.

Stretched wide over even a few phases, Los Pumas looked defensively disorganised against Australia in the opener. What's more, Denis Hickie is on fire, while Shane Horgan is catching fire and there's always the chance that now Brian O'Driscoll will.

The biggest single reason for believing Ireland will win is that there won't be a shred of complacency, even subconsciously. Ireland lost it in Lens in their heads more than anywhere else. Los Pumas have earned the respect of the world, and more so in Irish minds than anywhere else.

Set the alarms. Have a light breakfast. It could be gut-wrenchingly tense.

But Ireland should get there.

Previous meetings: 1990 - Ireland 20 Argentina 18. 1999 - Ireland 32 Argentina 24, Argentina 28 Ireland 24 (WC, Lens). 2000 - Argentina 34 Ireland 23. 2002 - Ireland 16 Argentina 7.

Last five games: Ireland 64-7 v Namibia, 45-17 v Romania, 29-10 v Scotland, 61-6 v Italy, 35-12 v Wales. Argentina 50-3 v Romania, 67-14 v Namibia, 8-24 v Australia, 62-22 v Canada, 57-0 v Uruguay.

2003 World Cup leading points scorers: Ireland - David Humphreys 18; Argentina - Gonzalo Quesada 21.

2003 World Cup leading try scorers: Ireland - Denis Hickie 3. Argentina - Martin Gaitan, Pablo Bouza 4 each.

Betting (Paddy Powers): 2/5 Ireland, 20/1 Draw, 15/8 Argentina. Handicap odds (= Argentina +7pts) 10/11 Ireland, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Argentina.

Forecast: Ireland to win.