KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Ireland knew this would be a tough World Cup from the moment the pools were drawn only for it to have become even tougher when Argentina upset hosts France in the opening match of the tournament.
Poor performances against the weaker sides in Pool D, the toughest of the four, did not help Ireland's cause, not least failing to obtain a bonus point when they scraped a 14-10 win over a fast improving Georgia.
Starting the tournament against Namibia and Georgia might have been seen as an advantage to hit the ground running in the harder battles with France, which they lost 25-3 on Friday, and Argentina on Sept. 30.
Ireland, though, have been way short of their form in the last two Six Nations championships and now have to beat the Pumas if they are to reach the last eight, a case of deja vu.
In 1999 it did not go Ireland's way when the Pumas were the underdogs, upsetting the Irish in a playoff in Lens to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Barring a massive upset in Marseille later on Saturday when Argentina, now ranked higher than Ireland, take on Namibia with the Pumas expected to win and take a bonus point, Eddie O'Sullivan's team will need a big victory.
That scenario has Argentina on 14 points, France on 15 assuming they beat Georgia with a bonus and Ireland needing to overcome the Pumas with at least four tries and by more than seven points to take second pace on the basis of their head-to-head victory.
Replacement first five-eighths Paddy Wallace, who was on the bench on Friday, said: "We didn't get a bonus point against Georgia. That may be crucial when the group stage is over.
"This is our last chance. If we get a bonus point and stop Argentina getting a bonus point we will still qualify. That still gives us something to play for."
Halfback Eoin Reddan, twice on the losing side on tour with Ireland in Argentina earlier this year, said: "They have a great side and they are very physical.
"Their defence is very good, they defended really well in their first match against France, so we will have to work hard to beat them."
Lock Paul O'Connell, who was sin-binned in the second half against France, said: "We have a good team and the quality of the players has not been a problem, so there is nothing wrong with having high expectations of ourselves.
"We have got the players, we can do it, but we have to find our form."
- REUTERS
