Although this Saturday's Test against Argentina provides Ireland with their one meaningful World Cup warm-up against outside opposition, and decidedly meaningful at that, the Irish management will refrain from picking a first-choice side as, say, Wales have done for their match against the French this weekend.

While the Irish team for the Test, to be announced today, will be near to full-strength, one or two selections will reflect the ongoing deliberations regarding the final squad of 30 for the World Cup, to be announced on Sunday.

At least the three selectors have a full hand to choose from, as all bar last night's Leinster quintet of the 34-man preliminary squad came through training in Greystones yesterday unscathed - Andy Ward curtailing his involvement with a minor knock. This almost unprecedented spate of fitness and freedom from injury did not go undetected by the management. In the short-term, the visit of Argentina may prove more than a handful, and video viewing of their historic win away to Scotland last Saturday reinforced the threat presented. Argentina led 31-8 before two late converted tries flattered the Scots. "We were very impressed with the physical nature of their game," admitted Irish manager Donal Lenihan. "Their forwards were very strong in the set-piece. Defensively they were very well organised. They played a structured game but their half-backs were very impressive."

Lenihan added: "Overall, they looked a very competent rugby side. They put an awful lot of pressure on Scotland and obviously they (Argentina) are a team in the middle of their season."

Their out-half Gonzalo Quesade, who kicked 16 points last Saturday, is by all accounts their pivotal player. Out wide they have a couple of useful wingers, especially Octavio Bartolucci, whose seven tries in nine Tests earmarks him as an obvious dangerman.

The Irish manager is in little doubt that the Pumas rank above most of the non-major touring countries. "People seem to be classifying them in the same mould as your Italys. But they were far more impressive than the likes of your Italys, Fijis or the Romanians. You'd certainly put them on a level way above that.

"You might argue that Wales beat them twice in Tests during the summer but they've had a change of coach since then and they seem to have simplified their game a bit. Certainly from an organisation point of view they knew exactly what they want to do.

"But they were significantly more match hardened and I think that was a factor in Scotland's performance. At least our home-based players will be playing in their fourth game, and most of our English-based players have one game under their belt. But overall we'd have nothing but respect for the Argentinians."

The new Nike Ireland rugby shirt will be launched tomorrow at the squad's base, the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow. According to the manufacturers, the new shirt is the result of two years' of development and research, "and is the most technologically advanced package of game-kit Nike has ever created," as well as being "lighter and stronger."

Amongst the innovations, Nike claims the new jersey is made of a high tenacity material which feels like cotton but is much stronger, is Dri-FIT (ie removes perspiration from the body), has reinforced necklines and seams, and stretches less than the previous shirt.

The shirt comes with three different types of shorts, cotton, four-way stretch shorts and lock shorts (designed for the jumpers when lifted) as well as chill vests and compression shorts. No excuses now.