Argentina against Georgia holds serious credentials for match of the World Cup pool stages. Daniel Hourcade's Pumas will be encouraged by the manner of their opening defeat to defending champions New Zealand, while Milton Haig's Lelos performed fantastically well to upset Tonga last weekend. The power of each side's scrum should make for an interesting contest at the set piece. With Argentina keen to get their Pool C campaign up and running in Gloucester - and Georgia seeking back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time in their history - the Kingsholm crowd could well be in for a classic.

Team news

Argentina head coach Hourcade has made three changes to the side that lost to New Zealand, all of which come in the pack. Matias Alemanno comes in for Guido Petti, who is undergoing concussion protocols, while back-rowers Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Facundo Isa replace Pablo Matera and Leonardo Senatore.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe starts his 12th World Cup match - the same amount as his brother Ignacio - which is five short of Argentina's record held by Mario Ledesma. Marcos Ayerza, Leguizamon, Juan Imhoff and Marcelo Bosch all started against Georgia four years ago.

For Georgia, this is the first time they have named an unchanged XV at the World Cup. Haig has kept faith with the side that started in the victory over Tonga.

Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Marcelo Bosch, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy (captain), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Facundo Isa.

Replacements: Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Ramiro Herrera, Javier Ortega Desio, Pablo Matera, Martin Landajo, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

Georgia: Merab Kvirikashvili, Tamaz Mchedlidze, Davit Kacharava, Merab Sharikadze, Giorgi Aptsiauri, Lasha Malaguradze, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Mikheil Nariashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Davit Zirakashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Konstantine Mikautadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Viktor Kolelishvili, Mamuka Gorgodze (captain).

Replacements: Shalva Mamukashvili, Karlen Asieshvili, Levan Chilachava, Levan Datunashvili, Shalva Sutiashvili, Giorgi Begadze, Giorgi Pruidze, Murazi Giorgadze.

Key head-to-head

Facundo Isa has a monumental job stopping opposite number eight Mamuka Gorgodze - but Georgia scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze had the game of his life against Tonga. Argentinian opposite Tomas Cubelli will have his work cut out and must dominate the game from the get go if he is to snuff out the young Lobzhanidze.

Key stats

*Argentina and Georgia have played three previous Tests, two of which were World Cup matches. Los Pumas have won all three.

*Georgia have never won two World Cup matches in a row.

*Juan Manuel Leguizamon needs to score one try to equal Argentina's World Cup record of four.

Odds

Unibet have Argentina at 1/25 favourites so there appears to be little value in backing the Pumas outright. A Georgia/Argentina Half-time/Full-time bet looks promising at 8/1 with the same company.

Weather

No rain predicted at Kingsholm for Friday's match, with mostly sunny spells and a slight south wind expected around the 4.45pm kick-off time.

Prediction

There will be one team that remains a complete surprise package this tournament. Japan were brought crashing back down to earth by Scotland after their historic win against South Africa, but Georgia's powerful forwards could prove problematic for Argentina. Whoever dominates the scrums will win the game -- another upset for Haig's side is not impossible. The Lelos to steal it by a single point and make history.