Under-21 World Championship: Ireland face France today in the opening round of the IRB Under-21 World Championship in the Argentinian city of Mendoza knowing that to repeat their runners-up achievement of last year will require climbing a mountain at least as high as the towering Andes that overlook the region.
Last year Ireland went on a roll, rising in confidence in round after round and only coming unstuck at the final stage against a New Zealand side packed with so much talent that they were always unstoppable.
The reason for Ireland's success was the experience of the team; many had played in the 2003 championship and only two were in their first year of under-21 rugby.
Ireland go into this championship on the back of a poor Six Nations campaign in which their only positive result was a 33-22 win over Italy.
After Italy, Ireland lost 16-9 to Scotland at Falkirk, then 29-6 to England, 20-13 to France and finally 33-5 to Wales.
As a result, Ireland coach Mark McDermott has made changes to what was a stable side during the Six Nations, bringing in four new players to his starting team, prop Gary Maxwell (Dungannon), backrow forward Kevin McLaughlin (UCD), rightwing Paul Hurley (UCC), and fullback Ross McCarron (UCD).
He has also introduced five new players to the bench: prop Ronan Loughney (Galwegians), lock Ross Noonan (UCC), backrow Trevor Richardson (Buccaneers), scrumhalf Gerry Hurley (Garryowen) and centre Jon Sexton (St Mary's College).
McDermott's hope is that his changed side can solve the problems Ireland experienced in their Six Nations game against France when a lack of experience allowed France to dominate a crucial part of the game after Ireland had threatened in the early phases.
"We played well against France in the Six Nations but lost our way for a 20-minute spell. And that cost us the game.
"If we can rectify that and cut out the amount of errors then we could have a really good match against the French," said McDermott, whose side emerged victorious last year in the World Championship match in Edinburgh.
"France are a big physical side, more so than in the last two years, so it will be a big challenge for us. But if we can match them up front then we can be competitive.
"In the Six Nations match our backs caused the French problems. We're hoping that they can be a threat in this opening match," said McDermott.
Conditions in Mendoza, which at 2,000 feet is in the foothills of the giant Andes, are perfect for rugby. Temperatures for the match should be around 16 degrees and with conditions fine over the past two weeks the pitch will be firm. Certainly much better than 12 months ago when Glasgow served up a soggy final at Hughenden.
The hosts, who play Canada today, can boast three players who have already worn the Pumas jersey at senior level - Santiago Tiesi, Agustín Creevy and Manuel Carizza.
IRELAND UNDER-21: R McCarron (UCD); P Hurley (UCC), A Trimble (Ballymena), G Stafford (Lansdowne), P McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins); G Steenson (Dungannon, captain), C Willis (UCD); G Maxwell (Dungannon), S Philpott (Saracens), J Andress (Belfast Harlequins), M Melbourne (Garryowen), R Caldwell (Dungannon), K McLaughlin (UCD), C Henry (Malone), S Ferris (Dungannon) Replacements: J Merrigen (Corinthians), R Loughney (Galwegians), R Noonan (UCC), T Richardson (Buccaneers), G Hurley (Garryowen), J Sexton (St Mary's College), D Riordan (Corinthians).
OTHER FIXTURES: Today: New Zealand v Wales (5pm); Scotland v Australia (5pm); England v Samoa (7pm); Argentina v Canada (7pm); Italy v South Africa (7pm).
Ireland v France, Mendoza, today. Kick-off: 7pm Irish time
