Ireland v Argentina: Irish primed for aerial trouble from Pumas plus weather

Geordan Murphy is braced for a snow-covered aerial bombardment when Ireland meet Argentina in Dublin this afternoon.

Treacherous conditions are expected, with showers of rain and sleet forecast to hit the Irish capital. The inclement weather is certain to increase the Pumas' reliance on the up-and-under, which is traditionally a key weapon in their arsenal.

As full-back, Murphy will be the foil to Felipe Contepomi's boot and the Leicester captain is ready for the barrage.

"Most players like the open spaces and don't like playing in snow or the wet," he said.

"But we must face whatever conditions are there. If it's wet and cold I'm sure it will affect the way the match is played.

"It will probably be tighter with more kicking. I was expecting high balls anyway, but I'm sure there will be a few more now."

The conditions will cause plenty of anguish among the Ireland squad, whose ambition of developing a dynamic running game this autumn have been thwarted by the weather.

Even in the dry, Argentina would be an arm wrestle, but now Ireland must end their autumn the way they started it - with a battle of attrition.

Victory is imperative and anything less would leave them with a 25 per cent record from the four-match series, a dismal return for a team of such ambition.

Argentina, placed one position lower in the world rankings in eighth place, will provide formidable opposition with their pack full of grizzled veterans.

Directing operations will be Contepomi, the brilliant if temperamental former Leinster and Bristol fly-half who is also the tourists' captain.

Ireland's inexperienced front row of Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tony Buckley will be tested by the Pumas' scrum, but the rest of the home pack is familiar.

The performance of new-look half-back pairing Peter Stringer and Jonathan Sexton will be watched closely, with the duo having shown promise in the last 15 minutes against New Zealand.

Murphy will be making his first appearance of the autumn, Rob Kearney's knee injury against New Zealand giving him a place.

It will be the 32-year-old's 69th Test appearance and his first since winning two caps as a substitute Down Under in the summer.