France launched the 2007 Rugby World Cup tonight amid huge expectancy levels in coach Bernard Laporte’s final assignment before he takes up a French ministerial post.

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

Juan Martin Hernandez has been selected at fly-half for Argentina for their World Cup opener against hosts France in Paris on Friday.

LOCK Fabien Pelous has vowed France will sacrifice flair in order to win by any means possible in Friday’s World Cup opener against Argentina.

ARGENTINA prop Rodrigo Roncero played down the importance of his side’s 27-20 defeat to Wales on Saturday.

Wales 27 Argentina 20

Argentina 16 Ireland 0

WITH Ireland’s finest safely tucked away in readiness for the World Cup, the auxiliary forces finally called a halt to an exhausting season at the Estadio De Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

Argentina 16 Ireland 0

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has made three changes to his squad for Saturday‘s second Test against Ireland.

Italy 16 Argentina 23

Argentinian substitute Federico Todeschini could not hide his delight after helping the Pumas record a memorable victory over world champions England today.

England 18 Argentina 25

Dan Carter failed to live up to his high standards but still scored 15 points to push New Zealand to a 25-19 Test victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Argentina 27 Wales 25

Scotland 19 Argentina 23

Lions 25 Argentina 25

British & Irish Lions head coach Clive Woodward admitted tonight “We didn’t expect a draw” after Argentina held his side 25-25 in Cardiff.

British & Irish Lions 25 Argentina 25

Connacht 11 Beziers 13 (Agg 29-23)

Connacht survived a determined Beziers display to squeeze into the second round of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup despite defeat in Galway today.