On this most anticipatory of mornings, ahead of an historic clash between Ireland and Argentina in the Rugby World Cup, the Sunday Show panel sat down to discuss the morning's papers.

Joining Shane Coleman today were Editor of the Longford Leader Sheila Reilly, Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes and Sinn Féin strategist and election candidate Eoin Ó Broin.

Giving their opinions on the match, Mr Hayes was confident that even with the loss of three key players, Ireland "are still a better team than Argentina," and Mr Ó Broin said one "can't but get sucked into the spectacle an the contest."

Today's Sunday Times Behavior & Attitudes opinion poll showed a drop in Fine Gael support, with independents and smaller parties making gains. The results of the poll, which was taken before the budget, are down to the "kerfuffle" surrounding the now-muted possibility of a winter election, said Mr Hayes.

He also noted the "extraordinary" figure of 7% for AAAPBP, but accused the leftist parties of trying to out-do each other in populism.

Mr Ó Broin dismissed Micheál Martin's planned speech in Bodenstown today, in which he attacks Sinn Féin, as "electioneering."

The public will feel effects of budget by spring, said Ms Reilly, who believes Taoiseach Enda Kenny made the correct decision for his party in deciding to hold the election next year.

The possibility of Sinn Féin joining Sinn Féin in a left-of-centre majority government, raised by Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn was not ruled out by Mr Ó Broin, though he said he backed the official party line - which aims for Sinn Féin to be a leading party in government.

Hayes said Fine Gael's "only ambition" to form the next government with Labour. He says the public will be faced with the question of whether the two might join forces, despite Martin's repreated claims it will not happen.

Next up was budget coverage, and Ms Reilly identified a number of cnflicting analyses - from David McWilliams, who said the government was right to 'let it rip,' to Stephen Kinsella, who called the spending increases 'foolish.'

Shane suggested that comments from Labour Minister Brendan Howlin were "classic Fianna Fáil," which Mr Hayes denied, saying the budget was "nowhere near" those of Charlie McCreevey.

Mr Ó Broin said the government made the wrong kinds of spending decisions, and should have focused on health, childcare, education and housing instead. There was "nothing fair" about the budget, he added.

Speaking of the analysis of the ongoing situation in Carrickmines, Ms Reilly said there was still "a huge amount of suspicion and fear on both sides," traveller and settled.

She acknowledged that travellers are not "treated as well as they should be," but said they have responsibilities, and "need to make a greater effort" to be part of communities, to which Mr Hayes agreed.

Mr Ó Broin, who claims many of his constituents are travellers, said they already are part of the community and "accept those responsibilities."

On every indicator, he said, travellers are systematically and institutionally discriminated against:

"The idea they're wanting to live apart from us - that's not the experience of those of us who work with travellers every day."

Listen to the full segment below: