Don't write Argentina off!

Joe Schmidt's Ireland face off against a very different Los Pumas side that has travelled to Europe over the past few years.

Mario Ledesma took over the national side ahead of the Rugby Championship this year and led his side to important victories over South Africa and claimed a win over the Wallabies down under.

Ledesma hasn't made major changes in the team selection for the national side but has taken advantage of the change in the rules on overseas-based players.

Ledesma produced wonderful results in his first Super Rugby season in charge of the Jaguares, especially away from home claiming 4 straight victories in Australia (2) and New Zealand (2) and took over the as the national side's head coach ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Here are some of the biggest threats to Joe Schmidt's side this weekend:

Agustin Creevy

Creevy needs no introduction! The powerful hooker is still regarded as one of the best in the business and will be a threat in all facets of the game - especially at the breakdown. 

One of the things that makes Creevy even more dangerous this time is that he has been relieved of the captaincy duties, allowing him to concentrate on his performance more.

Argentina are strong away from home

The Pumas have been excellent away from home recently and that is highlighted by their performance in the Rugby Championship.

Their first game in the competition saw them face off against the Springboks. In that game they led at half time before the South Africans hit back and Argentina were in the game before Faf de Klerk put the Boks 13 points ahead with a try in the 70th minute.

In New Zealand, they were trailing by just 8 points heading into the final 10 minutes before the All Blacks blitzed through for two quick tries.

Finally, they claimed a famous win over the Wallabies on the Gold Coast.

A Nicholas Sanchez Masterclass

The Argentine playmaker is one of the best flyhalves in the business and on his day he can tear some of the best defences to pieces. 

Sanchez is a well-rounded player and is accurate from the tee, has an excellent pass and can create something out of nothing at clutch moments.

The Outside backs

The front row may have lost some of the sting that made them one of the most feared packs in the game.

However, the likes of Ramiro Moyano, Bautista Delguy, Emiliano Boffelli and Matias Moroni have made provided the Argentines with a new threat out wide.

The Element of Surprise

There are a number of unknowns with the Pumas squad heading to Dublin this weekend with Mario Ledesma already making a number of changes to the way the Argentines approach the game.

The Pumas lost by just 8 points against a full strength Irish side the last time these two sides met and the South Americans have made vast improvements in a short period of time under Mario Ledesma since then.

Ledesma seems to have got grip on the Pumas discipline with his side not receiving a single card during the 2018 Rugby Championship in stark contrast to 2017 where they were shown 6 yellow cards and one red.