Argentina name full team

Captain Agustin Pichot will lead his side despite having hinted after the semi-final defeat by South Africa that it might have been his last match for the Pumas.

Coach Marcelo Loffreda announced his team on Wednesday with six changes from the side that lost 37-13 to the Springboks on Sunday.

"At no time did I say I wasn't going to play," Pichot said,

"I spoke sincerely about how it could be my last match because there was the possibility of discussing with 'Tano' (Loffreda) who was going to play."

Loffreda, having ruled out using some reserves who had seen little action in the tournament, said: "We have always tried (in the tournament) to send out the best team and we're doing the same for this match."

He added: "Agustin made his decision (to play) himself". The most affected section of the team was the front row with tighthead prop Martin Scelzo and hooker Mario Ledesma out injured following the semi-final defeat.

Their places have been taken by prop Omar Hasan, at 36 the oldest and one of the most experienced players in the squad, and Alberto Vernet Basualdo. Eusebio Guinazu, called up this week, takes the hooker's place among the replacements.

Rimas Alvarez comes in for Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe at lock and Martin Durand slots into the back row in place of blindside flanker Lucas Ostigilia.

In the backs, Gonzalo Tiesi replaces Manuel Contepomi, Argentina's try scorer on Sunday, at outside centre and Federico Martin Aramburu steps in for Lucas Borges on the right wing.

"I'm going to feel a lot of pain and a lot of nostalgia during the match," said Loffreda of his last game in charge of the Pumas before taking up a coaching job at Leicester Tigers next month.

"Fundamentally, it is the end of a cycle that has been very enriching for all those of us who have been involved in it."

Argentina have already gone further than ever before with their place in the last four and will be looking to beat France for the second time in this tournament to finish third after upsetting the hosts in the opening match.

"The 22 who play on Friday have a new objective, to win the match, respect their rivals and finish the World Cup and this cycle. The main objective is over," said Pichot.

"It's a match to enjoy with the French and not against them."

Team: 15-Ignacio Corleto, 14-Federico Martin Aramburu, 13-Gonzalo Tiesi, 12-Felipe Contepomi, 11-Horacio Agulla, 10-Juan Martin Hernandez, 9-Agustin Pichot (captain), 8-Gonzalo Longo, 7-Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 6-Martin Durand, 5-Patricio Albacete, 4-Rimas Alvarez, 3-Omar Hasan, 2-Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 1-Rodrigo Roncero

Replacements: 16-Eusebio Guinazu, 17-Marcos Ayerza, 18-Esteban Lozada, 19-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 20-Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, 21-Federico Todeschini, 22-Hernan Senillosa