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Loffreda's steely gaze
Home stadium: Various - principally Estadio José Amalfitani (Vélez Sársfield), Buenos Aires (49,540)
Nickname: Los Pumas
Number of rugby players in the country: 57,000
National rugby website address: www.uar.com.ar
Current national champions: 2006 - SIC (San Isidro Club)
Strengths: Massive forwards, brilliant halfbacks, backline flair, latin passion, tried and tested backbone to the side
Weaknesses: Finances, shallow player resources, lack of regular international events, Latin passion
History in the tournament: 1987 - group stages; 1991 - group stages; 1995 - group stages; 1999 - quarter-finals; 2003 - group stages.
Prediction for this tournament: Yet another horrible draw for the poor Pumas, another early exit beckons.
Coach: That Marcelo Loffreda has landed one of the biggest jobs in world rugby speaks volumes for his talents. The no-nonsense coach will join Leicester Tigers in the aftermath of the Rugby World Cup and would love nothing better than to punctuate his seven-year tenure of the Pumas by taking them further than they have ever gone before. Under his steely gaze, Argentina have recorded series victories over France, Wales and Scotland, a draw with the British and Irish Lions, and a win over England at Twickenham. Loffreda was a burly centre in his younger days, winning 44 caps for the Pumas.
Key player: On his day, Felipe Contepomi is the most exciting performer in world rugby. But for consistent brilliance look no further than Juan Martín Hernández. Rated by most commentators as the best full-back in operation today, the Stade Français star is blessed with vision, speed, strength, brains and just about any other positive attribute you care to mention. He claims to prefer the fly-half position, but can play anywhere across the backline, and his nickname 'El Mago' (the magician) says everything about his talent. He has played for Stade Français since 2004, but there is speculation that he will join Leicester Tigers after the Rugby World Cup.
Captain: Stade Français scrum-half Agustín Pichot has been playing for Argentina since April 1995, captaining the side on a permanent basis since the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The genial skipper now has more than 60 caps to his name and has established himself as one of the most dangerous gamebreakers in the world.
Rising star: Although tender in years, Gonzalo Tiesi has lit up the Guinness Premiership with some electric performances for London Irish. Naturally blessed with all the right attributes, Tiesi's game is now being honed under the stewardship of Mike Catt. He is one of the few players in world rugby who can turn a game with the merest flick of the wrist.
Team Nemesis: New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - packs who can hold their own, the apparatchiks of the global game.
Likely headlines: 'Pumas ambush France/Ireland', 'Pumas on the prowl for a play-off spot', 'Don't cry for me, Argentina'
Price of a pint: Around E1.80
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:1,404
