Tour to Argentina: Gerry Thornleyon how outhalf Felipe Contepomi is delighted to put Leinster loyalties to one side as he gets ready for his seventh appearance against Ireland

He's become a dad, he's been completing his medical finals, he's been the captain and goal-kicker with Leinster, and he will fulfil the same duties for Los Pumas in his 51st Test in Santa Fe tomorrow. Short of driving the bus and the plane, it's hard to see what more Felipe Contepomi could do.

It's been hectic of late, and arguably it's begun to show in his performances, but prior to returning to Ireland for his graduation and a welcome break with his family, he carries a huge load for his country amid such an untried, inexperienced side.

He's probably the best reason why Argentina might win tomorrow.

"Yeah, it's been busy, but sometimes it's good to have responsibility, and it's good that people give you that responsibility. I try to concentrate on each thing at a time. When I was studying, it was studying, and in the next few weeks I will try to spend quality time with my family.

"When I'm with Leinster, I just focus on them. Leinster and Argentina are different styles of rugby, I can't expect the same thing with Argentina as I do with Leinster. It's something you have to adapt to. When I'm in Leinster, I defend my jersey as if it's the only one I ever use and when I'm in Argentina I play for my country; it's another story."

As is his norm with Los Pumas, Contepomi will probably be obliged to kick more and play to his pack than would be the case with Leinster, although he maintains they are trying to develop their game.

"You can say a player is a good player when he adapts to the rugby style that he is asked to play for the team as required.

"Argentina is trying to add something more to their rugby, and as we have shown in the last couple of years, it's not only a big pack unit. We have some good backs and we try to surprise the opposition. So that's perhaps where I can give something as the outhalf."

No less than the Irish, Argentina aren't too sure what to expect from themselves, much less the opposition. With the final round of the French Championship on this weekend, Ireland will not be facing many of their familiar old foes from six meetings since 1999; Agustín Pichot, Juan Martín Hernández, Ignacio Corleto, Omar Hasan, Martín Gaitán, Lucas Borges, Manuel Contepomi, Lucas Ostiglia, Rimas Álvarez-Kairelis, Patricio Albacete, Mario Ledesma, Martín Scelzo and Rodrigo Roncero, among others.

Like Malcolm O'Kelly, Contepomi will be making his seventh appearance in this fixture; having been an impact replacement in the first three meetings, most notably in Lens when coming in at outhalf to orchestrate the set-piece move that culminated in Diego Albanese scoring the match-winning try, before starting the last three.

As one of the few players, even possibly the only player, from their strongest team, Contepomi has also been made captain for only the second time, and the first on home soil.

He describes them as a young side with a good unity and spirit, and for all the French-based absentees, there is only one debutant, winger Tomas de Vedia. Ten of the starting line-up are based in Europe, and there's a noticeably experienced back row in Martin Durand, Juan Fernandez Lobbe and the dynamic London Irish number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon as well as the Leicester prop Marcos Ayerza.

"In terms of style we can't change too much. If you get together four days before, how much can you practise before you go into a game? We are trying to improve what we are doing. The style won't change too much but definitely there's not the same strength because it's not the same as having Hernandez and Pichot, but we believe it is the strongest team we can play. At the end of the day, it is Argentina against Ireland. I don't care about the names of the players there."

With his insider knowledge, Contepomi has informed Marcelo Loffreda of some of the characteristics of the Ireland players, and he regards Ireland as the most improved team in the world over the last four years, "not only with the starting 15 but also their strength in depth. There will be players there that will be raising up their hands to say 'here I am' and I wouldn't be happy if I was one of those 15 players staying at home because these guys can take their chances and ask some questions of the supposed starting 15."

With an eighth meeting next week, and another momentous, ninth clash in eight years due in the World Cup pool stages, Contepomi agrees tomorrow's encounter has no relevance to what happens in Paris, and says "we have nothing to hide" over the next two Saturdays.

Contepomi is also experiencing Santa Fe for the first time, and despite being from Buenos Aires, he welcomes having a first ever Test in the Estadio Brigadier Estanislao López del Barrio Centenario, home of the soccer club Colón de Santa Fe.

"I think it's good for rugby in Argentina and also for Ireland. Perhaps it is not the most glamorous but also it gives you a look at the country, and the reality. Argentina is not Buenos Aires; it has a lot more."

With a crowd of 20,000 anticipated in the 35,000 capacity stadium, Contepomi declines the offer of likening it to Thomond Park: "Yes the Argentinian people are very proud and they have football in the blood, so they will cheer for us. But I don't think it's the most intimidating place here. People say that Tucuman is intimidating, but it is intimidating for us as well if we are from Buenos Aires. When they put the Pumas in Tucuman, sometimes you don't know if the orange is coming for you or the rival."