It is difficult to disagree with outgoing International Rugby Board chairman Dr Syd Millar that France 2007 was “the best ever World Cup”.

France 10 Argentina 34

France 10 Argentina 34

South Africa scrum-half Fourie du Preez insists the Springboks will not under-estimate the power of Argentina heading into Sunday’s World Cup semi-final.

ARGENTINA winger Ignacio Corleto has lit the fuse ahead of Sunday’s World Cup semi-final by labelling South Africa arrogant — and he is determined to put the Springboks in their place.

ARGENTINA utility back Federico Todeschini believes maintaining a high standard of discipline will be the key to defeating Scotland in Sunday’s quarter-final in Paris.

IT SEEMED fitting in a French-based tournament that the guillotine should finally fall on Ireland’s World Cup aspirations in the Parc Des Princes, a venue that has wreaked so much pain and havoc on a succession of Irish teams throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Argentina 63 Namibia 3

France coach Bernard Laporte has issued a defiant message that Les Bleus can “still play a key role” in the World Cup despite a stunning opening game defeat against Argentina.

IF ONE was in any doubt about the size of the task facing Ireland in qualifying from the pool of death, then last night’s shock victory by Argentina over France emphasised the point. The prospect of points difference now deciding this pool looks an even greater possibility.

France 12 Argentina 17

France 12 Argentina 17

France 9 Argentina 17

IMAGINE for one moment that Ireland were drawn to open their Pool D campaign against France at Stade de France this evening.

Juan Martin Hernandez has been selected at fly-half for Argentina for their World Cup opener against hosts France in Paris on Friday.

SCRUM-HALF Peter Stringer sat out yesterday’s Ireland squad session at Campbell College in east Belfast due to a back injury.

Argentina centre Martin Gaitan could miss the World Cup after suffering heart problems on Saturday following the Pumas 27-20 defeat to Wales.

Wales 27 Argentina 20

Argentina head coach Marcelo Loffreda has named a preliminary squad of 41 players ahead of the World Cup in France.

Tomas De Vedia insists he is not nervous ahead of his senior debut for Argentina in Saturday’s first Test against Ireland in Santa Fe as others look to press their claims for a place in the World Cup squad.

Tomas De Vedia insists he is not nervous ahead of his senior debut for Argentina in tomorrow’s first Test against Ireland in Santa Fe as others look to press their claims for a place in the World Cup squad.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has called Pablo Gomez Cora into his squad to face Barbarians on March 3 in Biarritz.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has called up 30 players for the forthcoming European tour.

Calvisano 10 Stade Francais 45

Argentinian Rugby Union president Alejandro Riesler claims he is “hurt” by the threat of strike action from 59 Pumas players.

Leicester 29 Stade Francais 22

Leicester 29 Stade Francais 22

Clermont Auvergne 12 Stade Francais 16

Full-back Girvan Dempsey has demanded Ireland finish their autumn internationals on a high – so that they are in the best possible shape for next year’s RBS 6 Nations.

OVER the past two weekends we have been treated to some outstanding contests as the giants from the northern and southern hemispheres clash in the Autumn internationals.

LIKE a good French wine, the Heineken Cup, has improved with age.

Munster 37 Stade Francais 32

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney remains a worried man despite the loss by Stade Francais of key-figure Augustin Pichot for tomorrow's Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.

WHEN Peter Stringer scored against Scotland to guarantee a Triple Crown, Ireland’s rugby renaissance was confirmed.

Italian master Diego Dominguez starred as Stade Francais wiped out the memories of their 2001 Heineken Cup final defeat by Leicester with an impressive display at Welford Road this evening.

IT’S rolling towards five years since Ulster became the first and only Irish side to win the European Cup. They haven’t been back since, in fact they haven’t even managed to negotiate the pool stage of the competition since David Humphreys lifted the trophy at Lansdowne Road in 1999.

Leeds 0 Edinburgh 23

THOSE who complained that this World Cup lacked drama got their answer yesterday. It is typical of the Irish that they should provide it.

Ireland marched proudly into the World Cup quarter-finals and banished the ghosts of 1999 as they beat Argentina 16-15 in a thrilling match in Adelaide today.

An Ignacio Corleto drop goal out of nowhere has put Argentina ahead by two points in today's hard-fought Pool A clash with Ireland.

AT long last, it’s time for the talking to stop and the real action to begin.

ARGENTINA, Ireland's opponents in the crunch World Cup tie at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, finally arrived in the South Australia capital at 6pm local time yesterday.

Australia lead Argentina 22-8 in Sydney today.