Hooker Fergus Thomson believes Scotland will be facing the "team of the tournament" when they take on Argentina in Paris on Sunday.

The Pumas have taken the World Cup by storm, finishing top of a tough Pool D that included the likes of Ireland and hosts France.

They will be favourites when they play the Scots at the Stade de France, as they look to reach their first World Cup semi-final.

Thomson has been impressed with what he has seen from the Argentinians, but is happy Scotland will be playing them rather than the other southern hemisphere big guns left in the competition.

``I think they could be the team of the tournament,'' said the Glasgow hooker, whose only appearance this tournament came when he was introduced as a substitute in the 40-0 defeat to New Zealand at Murrayfield.

``They've improved a lot and their skill levels have risen. They always seemed a scrummaging team but now they also have other skills and are fast on their feet.

``But we have to be fairly happy with the draw. It won't be easy, but we could win.

``If we perform, we will see what happens.''

Thomson is the most inexperienced of the three hookers in the squad, and is unlikely to force his way into the matchday 22 when Hadden names his team
tomorrow morning.

The starting number two is likely to be Ross Ford, who has played in all of Scotland's important games in the World Cup.

He started in the 18-16 win over Italy at the weekend, a result that secured the Frank Hadden's men a place in the last eight.

The Scots just about managed to nullify the threat of the Italian forwards in the St Etienne victory, and Ford reckons his team will face a similar test up front this weekend.

``It will be much the same as the Italian match,'' the Glasgow front-row forward predicted.

``Coming into the scrums, it was quite physical and draining at times against Italy, so it was an ideal warm-up for the Argentina game.

``Coming to this stage of the tournament, we have done all the work, so we just want to refine our moves and go out and enjoy it.''

The other hooker in the squad in Scott Lawson and he should be on the replacements' bench on Sunday.

Hadden, as it stands, has a fully-fit squad of 30 players at his disposal, with full-back Rory Lamont having recovered from a bang to the head he suffered against the Azzurri.