It's pretty much all we're thinking about this weekend. Ireland vs Argentina in the World Cup quarter final and our finger nails are already getting dangerously low. For all the worries about injuries, hopes are nonetheless extremely high that we can make it through to the semi-final for the first time.
Given our history at this stage of the competition that may be a bit of a folly but after our performance in the second half against France, it's difficult not to be coming into this game with at least a bit of confidence. And that's something that can only be helped with the injury news coming out of the squad over the past couple of days. While we're without the talismanic trio of O'Connell, O'Mahony and O'Brien, the prognosis on Keith Earls and Johnny Sexton has been much more encouraging.
Earls look set for another start in the centre despite missing training during the week with a knock picked up against the French. Sexton on the other hand is slightly more touch and go at the moment. He's 'expected to train' today ahead of the team announcement around lunchtime and, should he come through as expected, then things are looking good that he'll once again take his place in the starting lineup.
As for the forwards, the main expectation is that Iain Henderson won't be moved to number 6 after all and will instead slot in directly for Paul O'Connell. That means Jordi Murphy is in line for a start as he takes up Peter O'Mahony's mantle on the blindside. If that is the case, Schmidt is going against the thoughts of quite a few pundits, including Brian O'Driscoll, who had been anticipating Donnacha Ryan to slot in with Henderson shifting to 6.
Elsewhere, Chris Henry will come in for Sean O'Brien while it's expected that Jack McGrath may be given the nod over Cian Healy.
Probable Ireland team to face Argentina:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Keith Earls
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Iain Henderson
6. Jordi Murphy
7. Chris Henry
8. Jamie Heaslip
