Former Irish international Conor O’Shea fears that a huge injury toll will derail Ireland’s bid for World Cup glory.

Argentina 54 Georgia 9: Argentina are at that stage of development where they are potentially both giants and giant-killers at this World Cup, and, having come up short in their attempts to stun the All Blacks last Sunday, the key objective for them in Gloucester yesterday was not to become the victims of shock.

New Zealand 26 Argentina 16: World champions New Zealand got the defence of their crown off to a winning start, but not until shaking off a terrible opening period in front of a Rugby World Cup record crowd at Wembley yesterday.

Don’t be left out of conversations in the pub. Steve Neville has the lowdown on absolutely everything you need to know for the Rugby World Cup.

Toulon are after winning the European Cup for the third year in a row and owner Mourad Boudjellal has a cheque book which could sign any player in the world, but inside the dressing room Paul O’Connell is the one they want. 

Toulon 23 Saracens 6

HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL:

Argentine captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has been sharing his experience of facing Munster in the Heineken Cup with his Toulon teammates and leaving them in no doubt about the threat they face in Marseille on Sunday.

After Munster’s heroics on Saturday, all eyes were firmly focused on the Stade Felix Mayol yesterday to see if Leinster could seal the dream semi-final for Dublin.

ASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

It is difficult not to feel a huge degree of sympathy for Clermont Auvergne after what proved a disappointing Heineken Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16

Saracens 12 Toulon 24

Wealthy French club Toulon have signed South Africa star Bryan Habana on a three-year deal.

Saracens boss Mark McCall has targeted an across-the-board improvement from his team in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup clash against Munster.

James Downey has no doubt about the size of Munster’s challenge when Heineken Cup rivals Saracens attempt to storm their Thomond Park fortress tomorrow.

Craig Gilroy was so wracked with nerves before Ireland’s record 46-24 victory over Argentina that he considered driving back to Belfast.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney described today’s seven-try rout of feeble Argentina at Aviva Stadium as the stuff of dreams.

Ireland 46 Argentina 24

The history books show that for all the bitterness and rancour that has developed since the 1990s between Ireland and Argentina, the Pumas have yet to record a victory in Dublin.

Ireland must beware the giant strides Argentina have taken this season if they are to avoid a defeat today that will have serious consequences for the next three years.

Set-piece dominance

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe insists camaraderie rather than World Cup seedings will inspire Argentina to end a groundbreaking year on a triumphant note.

Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has credited New Zealand’s World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry with transforming the Pumas’ self-belief.

Argentinian head coach Santiago Phelan has recalled star back Juan Martin Hernandez to his squad ahead of the Pumas visit to the Aviva Stadium on Satruday (5.30pm).

Ireland have fallen one place to eighth in the IRB World Rankings, swapping places with Argentina who jump to seventh.

Wales 12 Argentina 26

Fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez has been passed fit to return for Argentina’s clash with world champions New Zealand in Wellington this weekend.

ARGENTINA captain Felipe Contepomi conceded the Pumas will have to produce the “perfect game” to stand any chance of beating New Zealand in tomorrow’s quarter-final.

Scotland’s dejected players immediately turned their attentions to beating England in Auckland next Saturday after a loss to Argentina which left them facing World Cup elimination.

Scotland 12 Argentina 13

ARGENTINA coach Santiago Phelan has been forced to juggle his back division for the World Cup clash with Romania in Invercargill on Saturday.

ARGENTINA bounced back from their home series defeat by Scotland in style with a record thrashing of Six Nations champions France in Buenos Aires.

Felipe Contepomi and Juan Manuel Leguizamon have been recalled to Argentina’s starting XV to play Scotland on Saturday.

Toulon coach Phillippe Saint-Andre has included a host of star names, like Jonny Wilkinson and Tana Umaga, in his 27-man squad to play Connacht in the Challenge Cup semi-final at The Sportsground on Friday night.

Scotland 6 Argentina 9

Wales 33 Argentina 16

ARGENTINA have made a diplomatic response after Wales boss Warren Gatland questioned the Pumas’ unofficial status as world rugby’s most revered scrummagers.

England 16 Argentina 9

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

England star Jonny Wilkinson is expected to be unveiled tonight as Toulon’s marquee signing for next season.

Paul O’Connell basked in the glory of Munster’s stunning six-try 37-14 win over Sale Sharks at Thomond Park tonight, insisting they did the jersey proud.

Munster 37 Sale 14