France's experimental side suffered a set back to their preparations for this year's World Cup with a narrow 10-6 defeat at the hands of Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Argentina grabbed the early advantage with the only try of the game short;y after the kick off.

Winger Jose Maria Nunez Piossek was on the end of a perfectly timed pass from scrum-half Nicolas Fernandez Miranda to break the French line and cross for the five pointer.

Flyhalf Felipe Contepomi added the extras and the the hosts were never headed for the rest of the game.

Contepomi stretched the lead to 10-0 byut not before his French counterpart Yann Delaigue has missed two chances to get his side back into the game.

France threatened to get back into the game but their domination was let down by a succession of unforced errors.

France finally got on the scoreboard with a Damien Traille penalty shortly after the break.

France looked to be right back in the clash soon after when wing Aurelien Rougeire seemed to have won the race against Diego Albanese to reach a long kick ahead and touch down for the try.

But after a trip upstairs to the video referee the score was disallowed.

Delaigue pulled another three back before another chance slipped by when prop Jean-Baptiste Rue dropped Christophe Labit's pass with the line looming.

And there was still time for lock David Auradou then took his turn to knock on in front of the posts, before the Argentine defence flattened Christophe Dominici late on to ensure the Pumas took the glory.

Argentina: 10
Try: Piossek
Con: F Contepomi
Pen: Contepomi

France 6
Pens: Traille, Delaigue

Argentina: Corleto; Piossek, M Contepomi, Arbizu, Albanese; F Contepomi, N Fernandez Miranda; Reggiardo, Ledesma, Scelzo, Fernandez Lobbe, Albacete, Phelan, Ostiglia, Longo Elia.
Replacements: Mendez, Bonorino, Sporleder, Alvarez, Albina, Quesada, Martin Hernandez.

France: Poitrenaud; Rougerie, Castaignede, Traille, Dominici; Delaigue, Galthie; Milloud, Rue, De Villiers, Auradou, Thion, Tabacco, Labit, Bouihlou.
Replacements: Bru, Marconnet, Nallet, Harinordoqui, Michalak, Jauzion, Elhorga.

Referee: Steve Lander (Eng)
Venue: Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires