Tommy Bowe: No panic in Ireland squad despite poor run

The 16-12 defeat at home to South Africa - which followed three in New Zealand and a reverse at the hands of England - means the Irish are on their worst run for 14 years.

They have six key first-team players out of action because of injuries, but Lions star Bowe says that was not a factor in the Springboks match.

"It didn't feel as though there was any real drop around the pitch because of the guys we were missing. No one looked out of place," he said.

"There's been a lot of talk about the guys who are missing, but that will happen and there must be a new breed of player coming through.

"A lot of the guys really put their hand up yesterday and it's disappointing we didn't get the win to show for it.

"We're looking forward to Fiji next week and then obviously we have a massive match against Argentina. It's a case of getting the job done."

Crucial

While Fiji are the next opponents in Saturday's non-cap international at Thomond Park, it is the showdown with Argentina on November 24 that will dominate the management's thinking.

Ranking points - crucial to next month's draw for the 2015 World Cup - are at stake and defeat to the Pumas, convincing winners against Wales, could see the Irish drop into the third tier of seeds.

That could see them have to face New Zealand and France in a pool, but full-back Simon Zebo is confident that such a scenario will be avoided.

"If we'd been battered by South Africa and lost the game with no chance of winning then you could say something and we'd be feeling sorry for ourselves," the Munster full-back said.

"But the fact is we had a great first half and were in touching distance throughout the whole game.

"If we were not making chances to score and win we'd be saying something. But the fact is we did, we just didn't take them.

"That was just a little rustiness and hopefully we can remedy that in the next couple of weeks."