Over the past four years, the Irish coach has set his backline up in a very "at alignment, a system that allows very little room for error. The structure, as we've mentioned on numerous occasions over the past few years, simply doesn't seem to suit its proponents one bit and if the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Geordan Murphy are to cut loose this afternoon, more depth needs to be added to Ireland's attacking game.

STAY DISCIPLINED

Ireland simply can't be drawn into any argy-bargy against the, ahem, Argies. A lot of bad blood has been spilt between the sides over the past "ve encounters but Eddie O'Sullivan's side can't be drawn into any off-the-ball niggle with their opponents. Indiscipline cost them against France and another form of indiscipline needs to be avoided if they're to win this afternoon.

A STEADY LINE-OUT

Ireland's line-out let them down badly against France but the whole operation is far better than that. If Paul O'Connell, Jerry Flannery and Co can secure 95 per cent of lineout ball, and whip it off quickly to the backline, Ireland can cause their opponents serious problems. It will also help if the line-out can sneak a few Argentinean throws, part of their game that hasn't been great in this World Cup so far.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE

Playing for field position and working from there is probably Ireland's best option this afternoon but they should try their best not to become too predictable. Were they to run the ball from their own half every now and then, maul the ball up the middle on a couple of occasions or spread the ball from touchline to touchline, it would get Argentina thinking and create room for Ireland to operate.