ENGLAND scrum coach Graham Rowntree has steeled his men for the ultimate challenge of facing Argentina’s set piece in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener.

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

ARGENTINA will arrive in Dublin on the back of an error-strewn 15-9 defeat to France in Montpellier.

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

ENGLAND rugby coach Martin Johnson has denied rugby has a drug culture and claimed players are aware of the consequences if they take prohibited substances.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made five changes to his starting XV for Saturday‘s Test against Ireland at Croke Park.

Argentina head coach Marcelo Loffreda has named a 22-man squad to face Italy next weekend at the Malvinas Argentinas Stadium in Mendoza.

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

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

A GOOD start, maintain the tempo, control the football, be accurate and disciplined and don’t be intimidated by a partisan crowd – these will be some of Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan orders to his team as the first of two “trials” ahead of Rugby World Cup 2007 kicks off at the Estadio Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario in Santa Fe later today (kick off 8:10pm Irish time).

LEINSTER fly-half Felipe Contepomi will captain Argentina in the first test against Ireland in Santa Fe on Saturday.

Prop Pablo Federico Cardinali has been called up to Argentina’s 22-man squad for the two Test series against Ireland after Pablo Gambarini was forced to withdraw through injury.