RUGBY:Agustin Pichot fielded questions in Spanish, French and English but the message never varied at Enghien-les-Bains. Argentina will not underestimate Ireland, they won't place any store in previous performances and they won't allow any mental laxity to compromise an opportunity to finish top of Pool D and earn an easier passage into the knock-out phase.

It's not just Pichot's linguistic skills that are impressive. He offers a charismatic presence, eloquently championing the Pumas' cause but without causing offence; ardent in his belief but not overbearing. It's no surprise his team-mates revere his leadership because he exudes passion for his country and the sport. It's an endearing trait - although he's a shrewd cookie in deflecting the pressure on to opposing teams - and one that makes him eminently quotable.

"I disagree that they (Ireland) have been playing poorly. There was a huge expectation on them going into the tournament and it's not always a good thing. Prior to the tournament they would have been two or three in the world at one stage. Ireland were expected to walk into the World Cup and qualify (from Pool D).

"Rugby is a simple game but it is not all about technique and tactics; there is a psychological part to it and that's very important.

"We don't care about their previous matches. Ireland are a good team, one of the top five in the world, and we have respect for them. This match bears no relation to the last three they've played. The Irish players are going to give everything to try and succeed."

It was a conclusion echoed by coach Marcelo Loffreda: "We expect a very much improved Ireland. We know how good they are and that they cannot be judged on the past three games. They played very well against France. Every game against Ireland is very tough; they are always very close.

"We have to take a serious and responsible approach to this game. They have a lot of pressure on them and that can work against them. We will try and put a lot of pressure on the Irish, on the ball and off the ball.

"They will put a lot of pressure on us with their pack and, in my opinion, they have the two best centres in the world and will use their midfield attack, so we have to be careful. We have our plan; we know what we have to do."

He was keen to downplay Argentina's achievements to date.

"We have expectations because we have won our three games but we know also we cannot relax, especially against this Ireland team. They have been together for many years. And the Irish people, they are battlers. The country has been fighting battles for maybe 1,000 years.

"Our goal was to qualify for the quarter-finals but I have always said we approach it game by game. We won our first game against France but we treated it before like it was our last game of the pool. Now, we are in a better position and we try and take the next step. We have a lot of confidence, which is good for the team, but we know we can't relax."

Pichot singled out Argentina's victory over Ireland in Lens during the 1999 World Cup as providing the belief they could challenge the world's best teams.

"Our coach had been sacked prior to the tournament and Alex Wyllie was looking after us but he didn't speak any Spanish. We would only have had a couple of full-time professional players and I was one of them.

"Nobody expected us to do anything and we had nothing to lose. The reaction in Argentina was amazing and maybe that was a starting point."

And what prospect a feisty encounter tomorrow? He offers his most disarming smile.

"Why not? We have a nice history to respect."