Ireland face gruelling run

Ireland will embark on a marathon 18-match international programme before coming face-to-face with their World Cup nemesis Argentina in Melbourne next year.

The Pumas were responsible for pitching Ireland into an unwanted qualification programme next autumn which will involve a trip to Russia and a home tie with Georgia before their place in the tournament is formally guaranteed.

And, with the likelihood of being placed in a group containing both Argentina and holders Australia, it appears that final clash at the Colonial Stadium will decide whether Ireland gain automatic entry into the next competition in four years’ time.

If the seedings go to plan, victory in that game will set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with Lloyds TSB Six Nations champions France. Defeat and Eddie O’Sullivan’s men will be on their way home.

‘‘There is certainly a history behind the game because Argentina keep beating us,’’ admitted Irish flanker Simon Easterby. ‘‘They are always close matches but they seem to come out on top.

‘‘If you look at it realistically, our match with them will probably decide who goes into the quarter-finals because you can’t see Australia losing twice at home in the group stages.’’

After a summer two-Test tour to New Zealand, Ireland are likely to take on Italy in an August friendly before their qualification journey into the unknown.

Then there will be an autumn international programme, followed by a Six Nations campaign, another summer southern hemisphere tour and final warm-up matches against Wales and Scotland.

‘‘It is going to be a test of the squad’s strength in depth,’’ admitted Easterby.

‘‘There are certain players such as Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll who we want to keep fit, so maybe we will have to wrap them in cotton wool a little bit, but it is a pretty tough programme.’’