Argentina v Scotland:Scotland's home this week in the Vaugirard arrondissement of southwest Paris is an area off the tourist path. It is a corner of high-rise concrete buildings by the busy Périphérique, of whistling traffic cops and clunking trams. But Frank Hadden's squad, housed in a skyscraper hotel above all the bustle, looked relaxed yesterday. And by 10.40pm tomorrow, Paris time, they could be looking down on the rest of the Northern Hemisphere from a lofty perch.
England and France could have something to say about that today, of course, and Scotland have been quoted by some bookmakers as having only a 6 to 1 chance of beating Argentina at Stade de France. But the Scots could yet move stealthily into the last four for only the second time.
Certainly it seems difficult to believe it is less than a fortnight since Hadden's team left the Murrayfield pitch to boos after a 40-0 defeat by the All Blacks.
That Murrayfield defeat also left the coach's ears ringing to the sound of criticism that he had fielded a weakened side. He argued that last weekend's game against Italy was the one Scotland had to target and he will certainly be vindicated if his team can go on to upset the Pumas.
Hadden had no more nasty surprises yesterday when he announced his side would be that which squeezed past Italy in soggy St-Etienne last Saturday night.
Hadden may have paused this week only to consider restoring the fit-again Andy Henderson alongside Rob Dewey in midfield. Instead he retains Simon Webster, lately switched from the wing, at outside centre. Fullback Rory Lamont has recovered from blurred vision sustained against Italy to keep his place.
Dewey, whose direct style has persuaded Ulster to employ him once the World Cup is over, acknowledges that Scotland are the underdogs.
"We all watched the World Cup's opening game on TV in St-Etienne and saw how dangerous Argentina can be," he said. "They will be the favourites. They have been together a long time, like a club side, and are a very well coached team. But, yes, you saw what Scotland's soccer players did to France at the Stade last month and there's no reason we can't do something similar."
Fog is forecast for tomorrow morning in the French capital but it should be fine and dry later in the day.
"Hopefully we can move the ball about a bit more. It will be an intense game but we'd like to get our strike runners in the match a bit more," admitted Scotland's captain, Jason White.
"Yes, we're underdogs but we're happy about that. They (Argentina) have had two great victories against France and Ireland and are very dangerous.
"Argentina have a lot of qualities: they are very passionate, they fight hard for their team-mates and challenge for every metre. The spine of their team is very strong and (Juan Martín) Hernández is a very good kicker and brilliant under the high ball.
"We need to step things up but if we play to our full potential we have a good chance. A win against Argentina would be a massive shot in the arm for Scottish rugby."
If Scotland can gain parity among the forwards and if wing Chris Paterson continues his metronomic kicking form, Hadden's team can help raise the European standard.
But if the saltires are to fly at the Stade, their backs, particularly Sean Lamont, without a try in the World Cup, need to spark. But as the Northampton wing joked: "Even three-nil will be fine."
ARGENTINA: I Corleto; L Borges, M Contepomi, F Contepomi, H Agullo; J-M Hernández, A Pichot (capt); M Scelzo, M Ledesma, R Roncero; I Fernandez Lobbe, P Albacete; L Ostiglia, J Fernandez Lobbe, G Longo. Replacements: A Basualdo, O Hasan, R Alvarez, J-M Leguizamon, N Fernandez Miranda, F Todeschini, H Senillosa.
SCOTLAND: R Lamont; S Lamont, S Webster, R Dewey, C Paterson; D Parks, M Blair; G Kerr, R Ford, E Murray; N Hines, J Hamilton; J White (capt), A Hogg, S Taylor. Replacements: S Lawson, C Smith, S MacLeod, K Brown, C Cusiter, A Henderson, H Southwell.
