Desperate times may often call for desperate measures. But Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, whose selection policy could be conservatively described as, well, conservative has resisted the temptation to make sweeping changes ahead of this weekend's pivotal clash with Argentina.
Geordan Murphy, limited to just 30 seconds of match time in this tournament so far, finally gets an opportunity to prove his worth as O'Sullivan's side chase a four-try win against the Pool D pacesetters. But the coaches hand was forced, to a certain extent, with regular full-back Girvan Dempsey ruled out of the match 22 through injury.
Denis Hickie also comes back into the side in place of Andrew Trimble, who appeared out of his depth at the Stade de France, as the side bid to extend their stay in the campaign to the knock-out stages.
The hooker's shirt remains up for grabs as Rory Best and Jerry Flannery both bid to prove their fitness ahead of Sunday's showdown. Should neither make it, Frankie Sheahan will be handed a first start of the tournament.
Elsewhere it is a case of as you were with the likes of Malcolm O'Kelly, whose lineout experience was badly missed against the French, and Neil Best again having to settle for places on the bench.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll has welcomed the return of two players he reckons have more in their locker going forward than Dempsey and Trimble.
"No disrespect to the guys they replaced but they provide us with more game-breakers," said the centre today. "Denis brings raw speed while Geordan brings his good rugby brand and his ability to make something out of nothing."
O'Sullivan, reluctant to utilise Murphy in the past, now hopes the Leicester man's attacking prowess can inspire Ireland as they seek the bonus-point victory by more than seven points that will enable them to progress into the quarter-finals.
He said: "We know what Geordan can do - cometh the hour, cometh the man is the mantra for him. It's an exciting back three."
O'Sullivan will finalise his frontrow and bench when he receives medical bulletins on Best and Flannery.
He said: "Rory Best has recovered sufficiently. The hooker situation is we already had Rory carrying an injury which he has almost recovered from.
"We'll know in the next 24 hours if he is available. Jerry should be okay as well. We're waiting for clarification on their situations. I don't want to make my mind up until I have all the facts. Jerry should be okay."
Munster outhalf Ronan O'Gara has missed training for the last two days because of a calf injury but O'Sullivan revealed he will be ready for Sunday.
He said: "Ronan has a knock on his leg. It is bruised but he will be fine. He's made good progress and I'm not worried about him."
Ireland (v Argentina): G Murphy (Leicester); S Horgan (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D'Arcy (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), A N Other, J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), D Wallace (Munster), D Leamy (Munster).
Replacements: A N Other, S Best (Ulster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), N Best (Ulster), I Boss (Ulster), P Wallace (Ulster), A Trimble (Ulster).
