Argentina may have been converted to the joys and rewards of running rugby in the last three years, but the nation’s umbilical cord with physical forward play and their devotion to the scrum, in particular, remain embedded in the collective psyche.

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

Argentina 45 Tonga 16: Argentina captain Agustin Creevy revealed Diego Maradona’s dressing room dance has driven them to push for Rugby World Cup glory.

Leicester put indifferent domestic form behind them as they made a strong start to their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign by sinking Ulster 25-18 at Welford Road.

Toulon 21 Leicester Tigers 15

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.

Set-piece dominance

The story goes that Juan Martin Hernandez could have been a professional soccer player had he twisted his neck and glanced down a different road.

Juan Martin Hernandez is likely to return to the Argentina team to meet Ireland on Saturday, but according to sources within the Pumas camp, he will feature at 15 as opposed to 10.

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).

Wales 12 Argentina 26

Ulster 41 Leicester 7

ULSTER could not breach Leicester’s tryline at Welford Road on Saturday as the home side dug out an important win over a determined Ulster at Welford Road.

Leicester 20 Ulster 9

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

Leinster 17 Leicester 10

RICHARD COCKERILL wasn’t the first Leicester coach to dismiss the significance of an iconic Irish stadium when he glossed over the return of five of his players to the Aviva this evening so soon after their Six Nations trauma with England.

Leicester prop Marcos Ayerza will miss the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Leinster on Saturday after being handed a two-week ban by the RFU.

GREG FEEK has earned his crust since leaving New Zealand and his post with the Hurricanes by moving to Dublin to find a cure for Leinster — and then Ireland’s — ailing scrums.

LEICESTER team director Richard Cockerill does not expect his England stars will be daunted by a return to the Aviva Stadium when the Tigers face Leinster in their Heineken Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

LEICESTER prop Marcos Ayerza will miss this weekend’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against Leinster after being given a two-week suspension by the Rugby Football Union.

LEICESTER come into their Heineken Cup clash with Leinster on the back of a controversial 17-13 win over Harlequins.

Ireland 29 Argentina 9

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)

Leicester Tigers 37 Leinster 14, Welford Road

Ireland international Geordan Murphy will captain Leicester Tigers from full-back against Leinster in a pre-season friendly at Welford Road in Friday night.

Argentina loose-head prop Marcos Ayerza has signed a new contract with Leicester.

Toulon centre Felipe Contepomi has returned to the Argentina squad for the Pumas’ Tests against Scotland and France.

Ospreys boss Scott Johnson has emphasised the need for discipline and patience when his star-studded Welsh challengers launch their Heineken Cup campaign at Leicester tomorrow.

Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill recalls Alesana Tuilagi and Martin Castrogiovanni to the team for Saturday's Heineken Cup Final against Leinster at Murrayfield.

TOBY FLOOD believes Leicester’s presence at the business end of the Heineken Cup has more than justified his move from his beloved Newcastle Falcons.

Juan Martin Hernandez has been included in the Argentina squad for next month’s tour of Europe after recovering from a hand injury.

Former Leinster prop Juan Francisco Gomez has been ruled out of Argentina's one-off international against South Africa due to a knee injury.

Leicester have signed Argentina World Cup prop Santiago Bonorino.

Former England captain Martin Corry has signed a one-year extension with Leicester Tigers which will take him through to the end of the 2008/09 season.

Irishmen Geordan Murphy will make his 50th Heineken Cup appearance for Leicester Tigers in their Heineken tussle with Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.

RESPECT and confidence are the two key ingredients as Argentina seek to qualify for the knock-out stages of the World Cup against Ireland in Paris on Sunday.

Argentina trio Juan Martin Hernandez, Marcos Ayerza and Federico Todeschini have been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup Group D game against Namibia.

Argentina will go into their World Cup Pool D clash with Georgia in Lyon having risen to fourth in the latest International Rugby Board world rankings – their highest position.

ARGENTINE manager Marcello Loffreda has slammed IRB chiefs for forcing his side to play their second game of the Rugby World Cup tomorrow — four days after their sensational victory over tournament hosts, France.

Argentina head coach Marcelo Loffreda has confirmed the 22-man squad to face Ireland next Saturday in Buenos Aires.

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.

STADE FRANCAIS star Juan Martin Hernandez claims Leicester have offered him the chance to link up with his national coach Marcelo Loffreda at Welford Road next season.