Pool D/Ireland v Argentina:If you want a starting point for the performance Ireland require then you'd look at a Munster template from their Heineken European Cup triumphs. They managed to produce a number of performances where they were chasing big victories and they managed to achieve it through mental strength, singularity of purpose and patience.

There has to be an honesty and integrity to Ireland's game plan tomorrow evening in Paris and by that I mean there's no point trying to turn the match into a quasi-sevens experience. The hard work has to be put in up front and that means being very physical and trying to drain Argentinian legs. It's like an investment that will reap rewards in the final 20 minutes.

There's no point in going helter-skelter from the start. It's a process of building, trying to turn up the pressure. When the whistle goes tomorrow, Ireland are the team under pressure by virtue of the fact they have to score four tries, but what they are trying to do is shift that feeling to their opponents.

Grabbing a try or two by the 50th minute would turn the tables. All of a sudden it would be Argentina hanging on, and that's the mindset and situation Ireland are trying to create because it fosters anxiety and breeds mistakes.

At this point, dwelling on previous performances is an emotional wasteland. Of course the failure to get a bonus point against Georgia has proved something of a millstone because there's a big difference between just having to beat the Pumas and doing so by scoring four tries.

The Irish players can't afford to reflect on what they haven't done to date; they must concentrate on something they can affect: namely this game. For them it's about 80 minutes, a single entity, a cup final.

Argentina will go into the game probably opting for the same tactics they employed against France: put the ball in the air and chase hard, kick long to the corners, guaranteeing field position, and tackle for all they are worth. They'll be happy for the match to be stop-start, denying Ireland rhythm and continuity.

Expect to see Pumas going down with injuries, scrums collapsing, anything that upsets the flow. Agustin Pichot, quite apart from being an excellent player and captain, is a shrewd individual and he'll exploit every opportunity to slow the game.

Argentina don't care that many would brand their style as boring. To their credit, they're very aware of their strengths, which they focus on, and their weaknesses, which they try to minimise. The end product for them, as they have shown throughout the tournament, is getting the desired result. They have no hang-ups about how it might look to anyone else.

The media coverage in New Zealand of Ireland's failings has been interesting; they have tried to identify the reasons while also recording off-field stories like those involving Ronan O'Gara.

There's a consensus here that the distractions off the field are related to the poor displays on it.

Argentina have had no such problems and tomorrow evening at the Parc des Princes will offer a more simple game plan of picking and going round the fringes, looking to run down the number 10 channel and ensuring strong set-pieces. They don't really have to do much more.

It's important Ireland make a statement early, and that will come from the first penalty they're awarded that's kickable.

I'd advocate either a quick tap-and-go or a kick to the corner.

There's an argument for building momentum and taking points but at some stage the Irish have to gamble. There's no harm in laying down a marker early on and perhaps putting a little subtle pressure on Argentina, especially if the Irish can grab a try from a lineout set-piece.

That would suddenly create doubts for their opponents, certainly in respect of conceding penalties, and might force the Pumas to allow Ireland the quick ruck ball they need rather than being happy to transgress.

Ireland's set-piece play, both scrum and lineout, must reach a level of accuracy they haven't approached in the tournament to date. They need to get their maul going, wear down the opposition.

Before this tournament there was much talk about the brilliant physical shape the squad were in. And while there has been plenty of criticism here of the Northern Hemisphere conditioning, Ireland should be in better fettle late in the match if they dominate possession and territory.

Referee Paul Honiss has already been much talked about. He got a rap from Paddy O'Brien for saying he was happy for players to chat to him about decisions, and then he came in for criticism over his officiating of South Africa's win over Samoa, where decisions were only going one way for a long time.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has said in the press he's afraid Honiss's style won't allow his side maximise their advantage in the tight. This is a smokescreen. Argentina have a reputation as the best in that facet of the game but as the All Blacks have proved, it's not always justified.

Honiss favours the team that's trying to play rugby and Ireland can exploit this. Brian O'Driscoll must make it clear the Irish are looking for quick ball, that they want to play the game at a high tempo and are looking for a fair crack at that. They've got to try to force Argentina to infringe consistently - they do have a tendency to be negative -because a yellow card could change this game. It's planting the seed and hoping to harvest a result.

France offered Ireland a template. They pushed the Pumas around in the scrum and were effective from their driving maul off lineouts. To this end, I want to revisit the Munster factor. What the Irish coaching staff say or do at this point is largely irrelevant. It's down to the players. For the first time in this tournament they have got to start playing heads-up rugby.

It's about drawing on the experience of the Munster players, having an open and honest discussion and a clear idea of what they want to do and how to achieve it. They have to create a mini-siege mentality, draw on everything that will bring them closer as a group.

It's about creating an environment of self-belief and then having the courage and composure to execute.

Ireland have shown all the hallmarks of their early days under Eddie O'Sullivan, when their play was heavily patterned, constrained by the blackboard. They need to get back to thinking for themselves on the pitch.

It's time to ignore the distractions. They haven't played well in this tournament but for 80 minutes tomorrow that's irrelevant. If they want to restore pride in the jersey, they'll need to look to the senior players and genuinely play with belief.

If they capitulate, the serious inquisitions will start, beginning with how a team with this quality failed so badly. This match will define this group of Irish players.

Triple Crowns are nice trinkets but are mere baubles when it comes to World Cup silverware.