When New Zealand and South Africa clash, all bets are off.

Juan Martin Hernandez has warned Argentina to be on guard to face “one of the best players in rugby history” in Matt Giteau.

Previous World Cups, in soccer and in rugby, have demonstrated the dangers of bigging up teams during the pool stages, but Michael Cheika and the Wallabies have certainly earned the praise.

Argentinian’s transformation of Aussie scrum means Welsh pack must up game, says Baldwin...

Brendan O’Brien looks at what was learned from the weekend’s action at the Rugby World Cup...

So often the perfect opportunity to introduce promising players to the international stage, the autumn international series has taken on a different significance this year with the 2015 Rugby World Cup pool allocation draw taking place on December 3 and Ireland perilously close to falling out of the world’s top eight.

COURTNEY Lawes believes Northampton Saints are finally up and running after a slow start to the new season and have the momentum to continue their winning ways in their Heineken Cup opener against Munster in Limerick on Saturday evening.

A STONY-FACED Graham Henry drew a line under reports All Blacks had been drinking in the build-up to yesterday’s World Cup quarter-final, saying he had “dealt with it”.

New Zealand 33 Argentina 10

England lock Courtney Lawes insisted he will not change his approach to the game, despite serving a two-match World Cup ban for striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury, the RFU announced last night.

England were today considering whether to appeal against Courtney Lawes’ two-match ban for recklessly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

England lock Courtney Lawes has been handed a two-game ban after being found guilty of recklessly striking an opponent with his knee.

Courtney Lawes faces the possibility of missing the rest of England’s Rugby World Cup campaign after being cited for allegedly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

COURTNEY LAWES’ World Cup could be curtailed if Argentina cite the second row following England’s victory yesterday.

Argentina 9 England 13

ARGENTINA hooker Mario Ledesma believes England are under-estimating the Pumas ahead of today’s Rugby World Cup clash in Dunedin.

ENGLAND scrum coach Graham Rowntree has steeled his men for the ultimate challenge of facing Argentina’s set piece in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener.

Argentina have brought Gonzalo Tiesi into a full-strength side for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against England.

Will Greenwood has backed England’s under-pressure centres to answer their critics at the Rugby World Cup.

Argentina utility back Juan Martin Hernandez will miss the Rugby World Cup after failing to recover in time from a right knee injury.

Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip have been named in the Leinster team for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Clermont at the Aviva Stadium, although Heaslip’s inclusion is pending a late fitness test following the warm-up.

JOE SCHMIDT wasn’t interested in talk of a ‘good defeat’ but this was surely the closest thing to it.

NO Brian O’Driscoll, no Rob Kearney, no Luke Fitzgerald and — thanks to the weather — not a proper training session in two weeks.

Brian O’Driscoll has failed to make the Leinster squad for Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin (kick-off 3pm).

Ireland conclude their autumn series against Argentina today hoping to end a disappointing month with victory over their fierce rivals.

THE end is near, but will tomorrow’s game against Argentina mark a fresh dawn for Ireland?

ON a day when several of Ireland’s injury problems cleared up, Argentina named their team for battle at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday two days earlier than expected.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made three changes to his starting line-up, from the side that lost 15-9 in Paris last weekend, to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. (kick-off 2.30pm)

Maybe the GAA can learn a thing or two from rugby –- like kicking off its premier competition with a bang. While the summer Championships often sleepwalk into summer, the Heineken Cup starts this weekend with heavyweight collisions. Alan Good looks ahead.

Argentina 9 Scotland 13

THE waiting is over.

THERE isn’t much in the way of history between Leinster and Clermont Auvergne, but what little there is will always remain a source of some satisfaction for the Irish province.

ARGENTINA will unleash a formidable forward pack but unfamiliar back division against England this weekend, after suffering injuries to their key playmakers.

Newly-retired Frankie Sheahan is ready to revel in the glory days with Cork Con, Munster and Ireland. But he’s looking forward too, writes Michael Moynihan

CLERMONT AUVERGNE saw their faint Heineken Cup hopes extinguished despite a comprehensive bonus point victory against Montauban in the all-French Pool One clash at Stade Marcel Michelin last night.

THIS was the perfect example of a scoreline offering a distorted picture of a game of rugby.

Munster 23 Clermont Auvergne 13

Clermont-Auvergne have made eight changes to their side to take on Munster in the Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park tomorrow.

UNDER his arm he cradled the Waterford Crystal man-of-the-match trophy, on his face a smile, and why not?

Clermont Auvergne 25 Munster 19>br>

Former Leinster openside Niall Ronan will make his Heineken Cup debut for Munster in the number seven jersey on the road at Clermont-Auvergne on Sunday.

MARIO LEDESMA is 35, Raphael Ibanez has also celebrated that landmark.