IRELAND were yesterday finally put out of their World Cup misery in the concrete cauldron that is the Parc des Prince on big match day. Just as they could never beat France here between 1972 and 1996, they crashed this time to the Pumas from South America who have now eliminated them from two of the last three competitions.

Ireland 15 Argentina 30

Juan Martin Hernandez is back in the Argentina team to play Ireland this Sunday in a crucial World Cup showdown.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe expects some of the lesser lights of world rugby to follow Argentina’s lead and establish themselves as forces to be reckoned with over the next few years.

A SECOND World Cup victory for Argentina was inevitable, and securing a bonus point by scoring four tries was an immensely satisfying return from a most difficult night at the Stade Gerland in Lyon last night.

Argentina 33 Georgia 3

France 12 Argentina 17

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

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

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

Three players have been withdrawn from Argentina’s squad ahead of their autumn Tests, which begin against England on Saturday, after they suffered injuries in the same domestic fixture in France.

Three players have been withdrawn from Argentina’s squad ahead of their autumn Tests after they suffered injuries in the same domestic fixture in France.

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

Leinster’s Felipe Contepomi returns to the Argentina side for the second Test against Wales, which takes place in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has named the 22-man squad for next Sunday’s Test against Wales in Puerto Madryn.

Leicester 29 Stade Francais 22

Stade Francais 37 Clermont Auvergne 21

Ospreys 13 Stade Francais 8

Ospreys 13 Stade Francais 8

Leinster will be glad to hear that their Heineken Cup opponents Bourgoin have allowed Augusto Petrilli to join up with Argentina as one of just five overseas based players to make the flight to Buenos Aires for Saturday's international against South Africa.

Argentina have named an unchanged side to face Ireland following their 24-14 win over Six Nations champions France in Marseille.

The Argentine Rugby Union have announced a 25-man squad for their European tour next month.

Argentina 20 Wales 35