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

Ronan O’Gara looks forward to what promises to be an exciting weekend of rugby action and warns that Ireland should not underestimate Argentina who, he suggests, are playing better than ever before.

Ireland’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup semi-final received another hammer blow last night as Sean O’Brien received a one-week ban that will see him miss Sunday’s quarter-final with Argentina.

With that tantalising World Cup clash between Ireland and France cemented in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but watch the respective performances of Clermont Auvergne and Leinster over the weekend in the context of that crucial Pool D encounter.

Racing Metro 92 11 Saracens 12: Marcelo Bosch basked in the gratitude of his team-mates after kicking Saracens into the semi-finals of the Champions Cup in dramatic scenes in north Paris.

Johnny Sexton had suffered a few knockouts in his time but never one like this — sitting on a chair in a Paris suburb just off the peripherique.

Munster 14 Saracens 3

Munster 14 Saracens 3

Australia 32 Argentina 25

South Africa got their Rugby Championship campaign up and running with victory over Argentina, although it was far from easy for the Springboks in testing conditions at a rain-drenched Loftus Versfeld.

The last time Cardiff staged the final, there were 12 Irish on the pitch and another 30,000 or so packed into the Millennium Stadium to witness Leinster’s second European conquest.

Saracens 46 Clermont Auvergne 6

England emerged comfortable 31-12 winners against Argentina at a subdued Twickenham, but another patchy performance in the QBE Internationals posed as many questions as answers.

Argentina 15 New Zealand 33

Argentina 17 South Africa 22

Zebre 6 Biarritz 32

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).

Argentina 19 Australia 25

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 16 South Africa 16

Saracens 20 Biarritz 16

Biarritz 15 Saracens 10

Ospreys 28 Biarritz 21

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

Argentina 25 Georgia 7

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

Argentina 9 England 13

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

Biarritz 26 Bath 19

JOB done. Well, more or less.

BIARRITZ gained revenge over Aironi Rugby last night with a convincing Heineken Cup victory in their return Pool 4 match at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

Biarritz 34 Aironi 3

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)

Biarritz 42 Gloucester 15

Biarritz 25 Viadana 16

Gonzalo Longo and Jose Maria Nunez Piossek are a doubt for Argentina’s opening game of the World Cup against France on September 7.

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

Argentina inside centre Hernan Senillosa expects tomorrow’s clash with Ireland to be another tight contest.

ARGENTINA coach Marcelo Loffreda has been forced to ring the changes for tomorrow’s second Test with Ireland.

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has been forced into a string of changes for Saturday’s second Test with Ireland.