The gamble against Romania having paid off, the Irish management have reshuffled the deck for tomorrow night's play-off in Lens and brought in seven fresh players. Argentina, by comparison, despite having had a day's less rest, have been obliged to effectively play the same hand, making only one change.
Reggie Corrigan comes in for his first appearance of the World Cup, Jeremy Davidson returns alongside Malcolm O'Kelly at the expense of Paddy Johns, Kieron Dawson is retained after his excellent return to test rugby last Friday in an unchanged back row, while David Humphreys is chosen at out-half in a back-line which also sees the return of Kevin Maggs, Brian O'Driscoll and Justin Bishop.
With Peter Clohessy's back problems continuing, Corrigan's selection at loose-head means that all 30 of the Irish squad will have played some part in the four games thus far. Although Justin Fitzpatrick's back-to-back performances possibly didn't merit demotion to the bench, Corrigan's elevation could prove inspired. Furthermore, as Irish manager Donal Lenihan pointed out yesterday, Corrigan has won most of his nine caps alongside Keith Wood and Paul Wallace.
Johns is suffering from a slight knee strain, so Bob Casey is promoted to the bench.
Sterner tests than Romania await, beginning tomorrow night, but Dawson's out-and-out open-side play undoubtedly helped free up ruck ball last Friday quicker than has been the case for some time. His retention in an unchanged back row is in part a commentary on the reduced backrow options, but primarily on this trio's effectiveness as a combination. Coach Warren Gatland admitted that video viewing made them "even more impressed" with Dawson's performance.
Lenihan admitted that they gave the number 10 berth "a lot of consideration. Eric (Elwood) was outstanding last Friday night and was certainly given due consideration, but David has been our number one throughout the season and we felt he deserved this starting opportunity."
Although it was Elwood's "best game in an Irish jersey for some time", Warren Gatland added: "We have been very happy with David's form as well. He certainly hasn't lost enough form to warrant losing his position."
The Irish manager reiterated several times that they had tried to "share out the workload", although perhaps not as much as they would have liked in some instances. For Conor O'Shea, Matt Mostyn, Tom Tierney, Paul Wallace, Andy Ward and Dion O'Cuinneagain, this will be a fourth game in succession.
However, Ward, Wallace, Tierney and O'Shea were taken off before the hour mark last Friday, while Lenihan pointed out that Wallace's injury-enforced absence at the start of the season has left him fresh.
No such luxuries were afforded Argentinian coach Alex Wyllie, whose only change in the Pumas' line-up sees former captain Pedro Sporleder omitted due to a knee strain, with Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe moving to the second row and Gonzalo Longo coming in at number eight.
Although only eight of the team that started in the 32-24 defeat to Ireland six weeks ago are retained, the Argentinian selection includes 11 of the side which finished that game so strongly, including key men Agustin Pichot and flanker Rolando Martin.
Ireland's selection did not have one eye on a quarter-final at home to France. "We're not thinking about four days later to be perfectly honest," said Lenihan. "This is a Cup final. If we lose on Wednesday we're out of the competition, so the selection was based purely on this game and no other factors came into it. Argentina have proved themselves a difficult team in the past and we're thinking no further than Wednesday night."
