After earlier rejecting an offer by Argentina to play in Dublin, the FAI yesterday announced that the South Americans will fill the vacant date in the European Championship build-up programme at Lansdowne Road on April 22nd.

The change of heart came after recurring problems in finalising arrangements for a meeting with Yugoslavia, a fixture which some members of the FAI felt, held only limited spectator appeal.

The original Argentinian offer was turned down because of the substantial financial guarantees being sought. At the time, FAI officials said that Argentina didn't come much cheaper than Brazil in terms of appearance money.

Inevitably, then, yesterday's announcement will be seen as something of a financial gamble. Although Argentina has never possessed the same appeal as Brazilian teams, the hope is that they will still attract a 30,000 crowd to Lansdowne Road at the start of the final phase of their preparations for the World Cup finals.

As a test of strength for the Republic of Ireland team, the fixture has obvious appeal. "Argentina is still one of the big names of international football and it means that our players are certain to be up for it," said Irish manager Mick McCarthy.

It will be the first meeting of the countries since 1980 when Argentina, with a young Diego Maradona in their team, won by the only goal of the game at Lansdowne Road.

The Republic of Ireland start their European championship preparations by playing the Czech Republic at Prague on March 25th. They meet Mexico in their third and final warm-up game at Lansdowne on May 23rd.

Northern Ireland have agreed to play a friendly against England's World Cup opponents Romania in Bucharest on May 30th.