Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has urged his players to muster all reserves of self-belief and claim their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Irish face Argentina at the Parc des Princes tomorrow, needing to win by more than seven points while scoring a minimum of four tries.
It is a desperate scenario for the Six Nations runners-up, who less than a month ago were championing their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
But O'Sullivan is convinced that after three weeks of bitter disappointment, another dramatic twist to the nation's eventful World Cup is possible.
'If you're in this position you have to believe in the team - and they must believe in themselves," he said.
'Within themselves, they should know they have played some excellent rugby over the last 12 months.
'That has eluded us in this tournament, but the key is to stay focused on that goal.
'We know that game is in us; we just have to drag it out and produce it on the pitch.
'Last week against France we got a lot closer to that - except we made life very difficult for ourselves.
'We have to believe that performance is in us. The lads feel it's there.'
O'Sullivan insists it is crucial Ireland do not chase the bonus point from the first whistle, instead laying the foundations for the four tries by pummelling the Pumas into submission.
'First you have to win the game. If you go into the match with the permutations swimming around your head then you don't play well,' he said.
'Our focal point is to put a huge performance in on the pitch.
'That's very important - and if we go into the match with that mind-set then we will create the opportunity to secure the bonus point.
'For us, it's about playing for 80 minutes. That's the challenge.
'If we do that then the landscape is right for achieving what we need. It's not the time to number-crunch before a game like this.'
The odds are stacked heavily against Ireland, given Argentina need just a solitary point from the match to top Pool D.
Spurred on by the determination to avoid New Zealand in the quarter-finals, with Scotland or Italy far more palatable alternatives, the Pumas have an enormous incentive to break Irish hearts.
'Argentina have defended really well throughout the World Cup,' said O'Sullivan.
'The mistake you can make against Argentina is forcing the game.
'They have a habit of scrambling really well. You might get a line break against them, like France did in the first match.
'But they're very good at turning the ball over. It's about keeping your composure. They tend to force you into errors.
'You have to be sensible with possession and not try to score every time you touch the ball.
'You must play the game in their third of the pitch. They have been very successful in shutting teams down.'
