| Venue: Beaujoire Stadium, Nantes Date: Sunday, 8 October Kick-off: 12.00 BST |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app |
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika says his team are ready to cope with the pressure of playing in Sunday’s ‘elimination’ match against Japan.
The match in Nantes will decide which team advances to the World Cup last eight as Pool D runners-up to England.
Since the defeat by England in their opening match, the Pumas have been playing with the fear of elimination.
“If you want it easy and for the script to be written, don’t worry about coming,” Cheika said.
“In international rugby, you don’t always have games where everything is at stake. We have been doing it since the game against England.
“You have to have a certain level of pressure. They have been feeling that pressure for the first time and they are growing. It will be the third elimination match and we hope to have three more from now on.”
Fly-half Santiago Carreras replaces Nicolas Sanchez, who made his 100th appearance for Argentina in last week’s 59-5 victory over Chile.
Prop Francisco Gomez Kodela returns to the XV for his first start since the defeat by England.
By contrast, Japan head coach Jamie Joseph makes only one change to the side that beat Samoa 28-22, with Siosaia Fifita replacing Jone Naikabula on the left wing.
Eight of the Japan XV – Amato Fakatava, Keita Inagaki, Jiwon Gu, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Rikiya Matsuda, Kotaro Matsushima, and Ryoto Nakamura – will have started every game in Pool D.
“The players are in really good condition, both mentally and physically,” said Joseph.
“We’ve had an up and down season, but I feel that we’re starting to play some of our best rugby at the right time.
“We’ve been preparing for this game for the last three years, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
Line-ups
Japan: Lemeki; Matsushima, Riley, Nakamura, Fifita; Matsuda, Saito; Inagaki, Horie, Gu, Cornelsen, Fakatava, Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno.
Replacements: Sakate, Millar, Ai Valu, Dearns, Saumaki, Nagare, Yamanaka, Naikabula.
Argentina: Cruz Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Gomez Kodela, Petti, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Martin Gonzalez.
Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Rubiolo, Bazan Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.
Match officials
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
Touch judges: Paul Williams (NZ), James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)
