Under pressure: Ireland
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While the cold snap begins to draw in across all European venues, Ireland know the heat is on them to perform against Argentina this Sunday.
It has been a disappointing month for the Irish - losing out to both South Africa and New Zealand - but encouragement will be taken from the latter.
No doubt about it, they upped their game from the showing that saw them only beat Samoa by ten points and with an extra fixture than they are used to in November, manager Paul McNaughton believes the schedule will stand the side in good stead for the World Cup. Positive spin right there.
Looking ahead to that big showpiece in New Zealand, and Ireland have themselves a favourable draw if truth be told. Australia should head into Pool C as strong favourites while Italy, USA and Russia will be hoping to nip at the heels and maybe beat the Irish to second spot. But is this really a team that - at the current time - can seriously challenge for the Webb Ellis trophy? Emphatically not would be the answer to that one.
"There's definitely time to get the fundamentals right before the World Cup," was the assured talk from forwards coach Gert Smal this week.
"We have about seven or eight weeks together in the Six Nations and there will be more time in the summer.
"If you want to win the World Cup you have to turn up for seven weeks in a row in you want to go all the way to the final."
But they worryingly seem to be lacking that same oomph that was absent in France during RWC 2007 and with injuries depriving the side of Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald, one would be only human to ponder a possible upset.
Argentina meanwhile definitely have the experience to call upon up front that is for sure, so if they can win that battle while upsetting the home set-piece then they have a chance. Even the bookmakers have cut their odds from a starting price of 9/4 as the week's progressed.
Our Tipster had already taken that price on Monday and with these two rarely producing high-scoring contests, coupled by the weather expected to peak at 5°C before dropping to -3°C at night, that close trend is very likely to continue. But will the unhappy supporters, who have felt short-changed in more ways than one this month, be there to see it?
Ones to watch:
For Ireland: Shutting down Argentina's tight five will be key if Ireland are to end November on a high and that'll need Donncha O'Callaghan to be fired up. Patricio Albacete is one of the best in the business and with Paul O'Connell only just making his comeback to the rugby field, the other half of the Big O's needs to 'stand up and fight' as the Munster saying goes.
For Argentina: There is no question that Argentina's fate on Sunday rests on the form of Felipe Contepomi. The former Leinster fly-half cum centre has been in impressive form for Toulon during the early-season and if he can direct his pack into the right places, Ireland could struggle for footholds in Dublin. It is also worth keeping an eye on prop Rodrigo Roncero - just for comedy's sake really as he will look to get under Irish skin.
Head-to-head: 33, 37, 34. These are the ages of the Pumas front-row that will meet the Irish on Saturday. Rodrigo Roncero, Mario Ledesma and Martin Scelzo have seen it all before in the Test arena so it may a long and painful fixture for a younger trio.
Recent results:
2008: Ireland won 17-3 in Dublin
2007: Argentina won 30-15 in Paris
2007: Argentina won 16-0 in Buenos Aires
2007: Argentina won 22-20 in Santa Fe
2004: Ireland won 21-19 in Dublin
2003: Ireland won 16-15 in Adelaide
2002: Ireland won 16-7 in Dublin
Prediction: Defeat to cap off what's been a forgetful November for Ireland. Argentina by 2!
The teams:
Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c) 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Peter Stringer , 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements:16 Damien Varley, 17 Tom Court, 18 Devin Toner, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Eoin Reddan , 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Keith Earls.
Argentina: 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Marcelo Bosch, 11 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 10 Felipe Contepomi (c), 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Julio Farias Cabello, 6 Genaro Fessia, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Santiago Guzman, 20 Alvaro Galindo, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Lucas Borges.
Date: Sunday, November 28
Kick-off: 14:30
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Stuart Terheege (England)
Television match official: Daniel Gillet (France)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
Dropgoal says...
JOEGLUM you bumb. I gues the Wallabies were teaching the class in
Paris yesterday.
Posted 05:20 28th November 2010
MunsterManTeets says...
This is going to be 1 tuff game!!! I would have liked to see Cullen get some game time (maybe he hasn't had enough before November in the eyes of the management), and I think it is time to just have 1 out half in the team. Sexton or ROG a descion must be made. The shuflling of the backs was not effective when Fitzgerald and Kearney went against the ABs. Surely with a pack as physical was the Pumas there would be an arguement for have Leamy AND SOB on the bench? I am looking forward to it and I'm spewing I won't be able to watch it. It is a great target game for the Pumas so IRE need to be clever and patient. Respect to Los Pumas and best of luck to Ireland!!!!
Posted 04:42 27th November 2010
Kawasakifreak says...
The French game was more valuable experience for the Pumas. I hope they beat Ireland.
Posted 19:50 26th November 2010
olepete says...
Amusing to read of encouragement being taken from a 20-point loss! And, to paraphrase an overdone cliche, beware a wounded puma!
Posted 14:51 26th November 2010
JoeGlum says...
I cannot believe that anyone would claim Australia are "strong favourites".
They will struggle to beat Ireland in the WC and wont get beyond the 1/4 finals.
Its amazing how myopic the SH commentators and pundits are.
Munster first XV would beat the current Wallaby first team.
Fance, England and the ABs are miles ahead of them.
They are slightly ahead - at best- of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The Wallabies are playing at the best time of their season playing against teams who haven't played together for 7 months they have scraped past an injury hit Wales, Huffed and Puffed against Italy, been destroyed by England, embarrassed by Munsters third team and will get a lesson against the French.
Despite this there will still be people who try and claim they are genuine contenders for the World Cup -nonsense.
Posted 11:10 26th November 2010