Argentina's star back Juan Martin Hernandez will start in Sunday's do or die World Cup Group D clash with Ireland after recovering from a right thigh injury.

'The Magician' as he is known will be at fly-half - though he prefers his club position of fullback - in a side that shows just one change to the starting line-up that stunned hosts France in the opening match.

The Pumas are in pole position to top the 'Group of Death' and could even afford to lose to the Irish by less than seven points - thereby gaining a bonus point - and edge France - who should win with a bonus point against Georgia on Sunday on the head to head rule.

"I have confidence in this team," said Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda, who is due to step down after the World Cup and take up the hotseat at English giants Leicester.

"I believe we are entering the match in good order, that it is coming at the right time for us (in terms of their preparations) like that against France.

"However, we must not crack under the pressure."

The only change from the side that beat France is at No 8 where Gonzalo Longo comes in for Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who would not have played had the former not had a thigh injury at the time.

Felipe Contepomi moves from fly-half, where he deputised for Hernandez in the crushing defeat of Namibia last time out, to once again partner twin brother Manuel in the centres.

Argentina and Ireland have met in the past two editions with the Pumas prevailing in the quarter-final play-off in 1999 and the Irish avenging that defeat in the group stage in 2003.

Team

Ignacio Corleto; Lucas Borges, Manuel Contepomi, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla; Juan Martin Hernandez, Agustin Pichot (capt); Gonzalo Longo, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Lucas Ostiglia; Patricio Albacete, Carlos Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe; Juan Martin Scelzo, Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero. Reserves: Alberto Basualdo, Omar Hasan, Rimas Kairelis, Martin Durand, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Federico Todeschini, Hernan Senillosa

AFP