Pool D Ireland v Argentina:Pockets of media dot the auditorium at Enghiens-les-Bains, the biggest single cluster perched on a bank of steps that normally serves as a walkway to the dais, writes John O'Sullivanin Enghiens-les-Bains.
Felipe Contepomi is the focal point of the circle, smiling periodically and engaging eye contact with each inquisitor. He exudes a natural warmth and charm, each question answered thoughtfully and at length.
It is a striking phenomenon because in most professional sports these days, players hide behind a mask of banalities, guarding their thoughts and instead replacing them with hackneyed observations. Contepomi eschews the easy option, and while not baring his soul, at least offers a snapshot of insight that might not otherwise be gleaned.
On the pitch he may prove a maelstrom of movement but here he just sits back, folds his arms and responds to each inquiry. When the term crisis is introduced to describe Ireland's current state of flux, the good doctor offers the following prognosis.
"As in any crisis in life you can overtake that crisis or sink. It's difficult to say (from the outside). I wouldn't like to play against a team in crisis because they are dangerous. It is not a fear factor but obviously when you are in crisis you can turn it to a positive if you have the mental strength.
"You have to see why there is this crisis. Is it a problem with the players? Is it an external factor? I would doubt that it's a problem amongst the players because they are quite united; at least the boys that I know, the Leinster players. They are very easy going, very united. I can't imagine that.
"Sometimes when you go into competitions - we only play every four years - you need luck. Perhaps they have been lacking that luck that normally the Irish have."
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan would possibly wish that it was as simple as finding a four-leafed clover, rabbit's foot, horse-shoe kind of resolution. There's been a great deal of head scratching to date in Bordeaux, tactically and technically.
Obviously the mention of Leinster is an opportune preamble to a discussion on a group of players with whom he has shared a dressingroom for four seasons but who will be behind a different door at the Parc des Princes this Sunday.
"Yes, you could say I know them quite well," he laughs. "If you go name by name they are one of the best if not the best in their positions around the world. (Gordon) D'Arcy and (Brian) O'Driscoll are for me the best pair of centres in the world. Their combination could be lethal. Shaggy (Shane Horgan) and (Denis) Hickie, when they are at their best, are two of the best wings in the world.
"Girv (Girvan Dempsey) is injured unfortunately. Geordan (Murphy) or whoever steps in there won't make it any easier; it (the Irish backline) has a world-class quality. We know the backline is one of the best in the world. We have to pay attention to that."
It's not just his Leinster team-mates of which he's wary. "The games are won, certainly starting in the forwards. They (the Irish) are a pack that know each other, six or seven play in the same club the whole year round. They can easily turn this around in one week, playing the best game in their lives. We need to be focused on that."
Argentina made a wonderful start to the tournament in beating France, toughed it out on a four-day turnaround to grab a last-ditch bonus point against Georgia and then patiently went about dismantling Namibia. Contepomi confirmed that they have viewed each game as a single entity, psychologically and tactically.
They will not be sidetracked by the lure of the knock-out stage of the World Cup. "We have a lot to improve on. We are happy with the way the tournament is going for us but are very conscious that nothing has been achieved.
"We can still be mathematically and realistically - and it's not a crazy thing to think - out of this competition by Sunday. We are focusing on going out and winning; trying to be smart, playing strategically and be as good as we can.
"Let Ireland worry about what they have to do. I don't care what Ireland have to do. We know what we need to do. Hopefully we can dominate the game and get the result we require."
Despite their measured progress, Argentina continue to try to refine their game.
Contepomi spoke about the need to improve lineouts, scrums, restarts and their control of the ball, pointing out that there were too many turnovers in the last two games. He is more satisfied with the team's kicking game.
Although his side is the only one in the tournament yet to concede a try, he chides: "The defence has been good but still France and even Namibia and Georgia, broke through a couple of times.
"We scrambled well but still have to perform better in that sense. We can't forget that in the last two matches we were down early, starting on the back foot. It will be important for us to have a good start like we did against France."
Inevitably conversation meanders back to friends and foes segregated by 80 minutes this Sunday. The cellular highway has been busy since the tournament began. "Before being rivals, they are my friends. I keep in contact mostly with Darce and some of the boys.
"Apart from now when I am defending my country's colours, one thing that that rugby gives you is friendship and I wouldn't lose that friendship over a single game of rugby.
"Obviously they have respect for me and I have a lot of respect for them and that's the most important thing. I will keep being friends with them whatever the result on Sunday."
