On Sunday Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Gonzalo Longo Elia, the tyro and the veteran, may represent two of the three faces in the Argentina backrow. Certainly Longo's chances of playing have improved greatly following his recovery from a muscle tear, a fact he illustrated in the victory over Namibia.

On Sunday, it is Ireland who bar the Pumas' path to finishing first in the pool and denying them a considerably easier trek into the knock-out phase of the World Cup. There is a remote possibility fate may deal them an even more cruel hand were the Irish to embellish victory with four tries. Longo Elia has been a fixture in this team, injury aside, since 1999 and at 33 years of age knows what lies ahead for his team. He experienced the joy of Lens (1999) and the utter despair of Adelaide (2003).

"We still have fresh memories of losing against Ireland (2003, World Cup) and going back home and that is a very good reason to win the match and finish in first place. Everything is perfect for the moment. We trust our preparation and we know we don't have to think we are the best in the world because if confidence comes from pride we will be going the wrong way."

Ireland's four-try pre-requisite for World Cup survival peppers any conversation and the big number eight shrugs: "They have the capacity and ability to do it but the way we are going to play the match they won't be able to. We are very motivated, even more than in the opening match because there we had a second chance. They (Ireland) say they will try to go for a miracle but they know they have the capacity to score four tries."

His recall of those two previous World Cup clashes between Argentina and Ireland are sharpened by incidents from the two clashes.

"I remember in the World Cup in 1999, Diego Albanese's try that convinced us we could win: also our defence in the last minutes, knowing they couldn't break us. I have bad memories of 2003, for example the try they scored against us after a mistake we made in a lineout. One mistake can make you lose a match and that is why we focus on the small things this week."

If Longo Elia represents a player who has helped his country to a place among the elite, London Irish's Leguizamon, at 24, is a player who may keep them there. He is capable of playing anywhere in the backrow. He's made a huge impact with the Exiles. He played in both Tests against Ireland this summer, and while many of Sunday's foes didn't travel to South America he's in no doubt as to the tenor of this contest. "It's going to be a war; the biggest game for us and them. It'll be tough. We have to be clever and play a perfect game."

Leguizamon grimaces when Ireland's poor form is alluded to, admitting he has been a little bit surprised in the manner in which they have struggled but nevertheless wary. "Ireland are one of the biggest teams in the world, maybe top four or five. We don't care about their previous matches . . . Form can suddenly turn around quickly. We must win the game. We have to take it step by step. There is no point in us thinking about not conceding four tries. We must focus on our game, our strategy and if we get that right then everything that we hope for will follow."

He's aware of the reaction back in Argentina and the expectation fostered by their performances to date. "The people are crazy about us now. Our families have told us this . . . but we have to go further. We are playing every game as the last. We are fighting for every ball. We are a very tight unit that plays with great heart in every tournament."

When it's put to him Argentina consider themselves the underdog going into every game despite winning at Twickenham and against France, he laughs: "It's true. But then we play the game. Before the game, they are favourites but it's 15 against 15 and after 80 minutes you will know."

So who are favourites on Sunday? "Maybe they (Ireland) are favourites."

Amid much laughter, were you favourites against Namibia? "Yeah, I suppose in that one."

Argentina don't need to hide behind any tag these days.