Scrum-half Pichot to lead Argentina in Arbizu’s absence

ARGENTINA coach Marcelo Loffreda has made scrum-half Agustin Pichot captain for the Rugby World Cup after Lisandro Arbizu ruptured knee ligaments in training.

Pichot, who moved to French champions Stade Francais in the summer, was the vice-captain and he said: "It's a huge responsibility but it's great to know that everyone in this squad has the ability to make good decisions themselves."

Pichot, who led Argentina to a 1999 World Cup win over Ireland which put the Pumas into the quarter-finals, Pichot made his comeback to Test rugby after a nine-month injury-enforced break in last month's PanAmerican Cup which Argentina won at a canter against the USA, Canada and Uruguay.