After a strong showing in the Rugby Championship, in which the Pumas historically trumped South Africa in Durban, there was few surprises in the Argentine Rugby World Cup (RWC) squad, named two weeks ago.

Head coach Daniel Hourcade has put his faith in a largely domestic-based group, with only seven overseas internationals named in the 31-man squad.

Racing Metro’s Juan Imhoff, who scored a hat-trick in the afore-mentioned victory, is joined in the squad by fellow overseas based stars Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Pablo Socino, Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Marcos Ayerza and Mariano Galarza – five of whom are making their third appearance at a RWC.

“Players got left out that didn’t deserve it, it’s unfair really but that’s how it is,” Hourcade told a news conference in Buenos Aires a fortnight ago.

“They did everything we asked of them, a great effort and they gave their all. It is the hardest moment of all for a coach but we had to choose only 31 players.

“It’s a balanced list with 17 forwards and 14 backs that gives us the possibility of having two teams and one more front row forward.”

The Pumas are gunning to improve on their best performance at a RWC – third in 2007 – and are favourites to progress from pool C alongside their tournament opening opponents New Zealand.

That game shapes as a huge one for Argentina, the Pumas pushed the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship and a victory would all but assure them a place in the quarter-finals.

PLAYER TO WATCH – Juan Pablo Socino (inside back)

Two games into his international career, Juan Pablo Socino made a sterling debut for Argentina against the Wallabies in Mendoza in July.

At 27, the pivot-come-centre has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top, coming off his maiden season for the Newcastle Falcons in England’s top division.

Despite his limited experience at the top level, Hourcade has placed enormous faith in his new charge, and expect Juan Pablo Socino to try and stamp his authority on this RWC in his side’s opener against the All Blacks should he make the cut.

SQUAD

Forwards: Matias Alemanno, Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy, Matias Diaz, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera Paz, Javier Ortega, Guido Petti, Leonardo Senatore, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.

Backs: Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Martin Landajo, Matias Moroni, Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Pablo Socino, Joaquin Tuculet.

FIXTURES

Sunday, September 20: vs  New Zealand; Wembley Stadium, London; 4.45pm

Friday, September 15: vs Georgia; Kingsholm, Gloucester; 4.45pm

Sunday, October 4: vs Tonga; Leicester City Stadium, Leicester; 2.30pm

Sunday, October 11: vs Namibia; Leicester City Stadium, Leicester; 12pm