Well, we got what we wished for. And what a treat that was. Ireland’s performance against France on Sunday was probably the best we have ever seen. It was certainly the most complete display by an Irish rugby team at a World Cup. Now we have the road map we have been planning for all this time: Argentina in Cardiff and a favourite’s chance of reaching the semi-final, where all bets will be off. These are heady times but this Sunday provides a whole other set of challenges.

Last Sunday’s victory came at a cost, however, and we are without Peter O’Mahony and Paul O’Connell, while Jonathan Sexton’s participation is still in doubt. There are very few ways to dress up the loss of our captain. His presence alone has long been cited by his team-mates as a major influence on their mood at game time. While he won’t be on the field, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him stay with the squad and impart that magic to his players.

O’Connell’s playing loss is somewhat lessened by the form of Iain Henderson and the sheer brilliance of Devon Toner against France. These two will be just fine. Where we do have a bit of concern is in regard to cover. Henderson’s impact role off the bench was quite an ace up Joe Schmidt’s sleeve and his ability to cover second and back rows made him an invaluable resource.

Alas, one man’s misfortune and all that. Henderson will start and now Donnacha Ryan should get his chance to fill the giant Ulsterman’s previously flexible shoes off the bench.

Replacing Peter O’Mahony is not that straightforward – especially with Sean O’Brien being cited. It’s hard not to have sympathy with the Carlow man after his indiscretion. He was as good as he has ever been against the French and if, a decent if, we get past Argentina, it will be like having a new player if he is available again for the semi-final.

Chris Henry looks the obvious choice to replace O’Brien this Sunday and when you consider that about 10 months ago his entire career was in doubt after a blood clot was discovered in his head, he will be another player fired up and relishing this opportunity. Jordi Murphy also must come into the game-day reckoning.

Rhys Ruddock is a man that Schmidt clearly has regard for and he has joined the squad this week. Who knows, perhaps our coach may opt for a little freshness and throw him straight in. If he looks the part in training, I would expect him to be on the bench at least.

Replacements can be sent for up to 36 hours before a game and Andrew Trimble is surely cleaning his boots furiously the last few days, especially once the extent of Jared Payne’s injury became clear. Big, tough, quick and blessed with excellent hands, Trimble has never let Schmidt down and it would be a solid guess that his non-selection was the hardest decision the coach had to make. Although we look covered on the wing, it is at centre he might offer an option.

Of course, it goes without saying that we can trust Joe to make all the right calls. His stock was high entering the tournament and it’s stratospheric now. Last weekend we flicked the switch and the response was immediate. From the start we were a team transformed and played like we were just waiting for this match. And we were. We unveiled a couple of looks the French hadn’t seen and we cut them open. Incredibly, they didn’t get a look at our try line. To hold a team of their quality to almost zero line breaks and never once have to concede a yellow card or penalty under our posts to stop a certain try, well that’s remarkable. That impressed the most. We were unbreakable.

With that in our lockers the confidence will be high to keep going. We have been here before and the last World Cup is the latest example of us winning the pool dramatically and then falling flat in the quarter-final. Not this time.

Argentina will love that we beat the French almost as much as the All Blacks hated it. The Pumas have form over us in two World Cups, back in 1999 and 2007, when they were better than us. That’s not the case in 2015.

They will bring confidence and the excellent 60 minutes they brought against the All Blacks but we bring the team that destroyed France. The injuries are a concern but we have a squad that can cope and we have a coach who knows what it takes.

I’d suspect that Sexton has been ruled out of this game since last Sunday but we’re keeping the opposition guessing and playing a little footsie – nothing wrong with that. Madigan was a revelation last week and he is the epitome of a confidence player. He’ll be told to simplify his over-ambitious game slightly but his enthusiasm shouldn’t be curbed. He also is an excellent kicker for distance; we’ll lose little with him at 10.

This game is only about winning. We are on a high. Last Sunday we looked strong in every department and our attack had a constant cutting edge. Robbie Henshaw was O’Driscoll-like, Bowe and Earls not far behind. The two Kearneys were rock solid too. Conor Murray was imperious. That was all behind a dominant pack. A relentless forward machine.

Even allowing for an understandable dip in those standards, we still should have enough for this game. We will be missing four starters but we’ll still have 15; the four men in their places will not be found wanting.

Up in the corporate goldfish bowl where he watches it all unfold will sit our greatest weapon. Remember how poor we were against Italy and the total transformation just seven days later? That was down to him. He’s the 16th man and the boisterous Irish crowd aren’t far behind.

Just think, this time next week, Joe, we’ll be millionaires (and in the semi-final of the World Cup).