Argentina vs Australia preview: What time does it start, where can I watch the semi-final and what channel is it on?

A look ahead ot the Rugby World Cup semi-final clash at Twickenham

Michael Hooper in training for Australia (Getty Images)

One of the tournament favourites in Australia take on the ultimate underdogs Argentina as the Pumas bid for a first ever Rugby World Cup final.

It’s a big game for…

David Pocock: After spending a week on the sidelines following injury, Pocock will want to show why he came back into the side to oust Ben McCalman. McCalman contested just as regularly at the breakdown as Pocock and Michael Hooper have in previous games.

The two opensides tactic the Wallabies have utilised during the World Cup has really thrown all competitors, and Pocock needs to be at his best to keep it that way.

Teams...

Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Marcelo Bosch, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicholas Sanchez, Martin Landajo, Marcos Ayerza, Augustin Creevy (capt), Ramiro Herrera, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore.

Replacements: Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Juan Figallo, Matias Alemanno, Facundo Isa, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Amorosino.

Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; James Slipper, Stephen Moore (capt), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Toby Smith, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.

Best stat…

31 – 74. This is the number of tries both sides have scored against each other in the 24 fixtures they have played. This averages out as 3.08 tries per game for the Australians and 1.29 for the Pumas.

Remember when…

Argentina got their maiden win in the Rugby Championship? In 2014, three years after they joined the SANZAR Tri Nations, a hostile contest in Mendoza marred by two yellow cards for the Aussies saw Argentina win their first match in the new competition.

Player to watch…

Nicolas Sanchez: Sanchez dominated in a head-to-head against Ian Madigan last week. His boot has been something the Pumas have been able to rely on throughout the tournament, and he may be the downfall of the Wallabies in much the way Jonny Wilkinson, Sanchez’s hero and kicking coach at Toulon, has been historically.

Past three-meetings…

Argentina 9 – Australia 34 (Tomane, Mumm, Kuridrani, Ashley-Cooper)

Argentina 21 (Senatore, Imhoff) – Australia 17 (Kuridrani, Higginbotham)

Australia 32 (Hooper (2), Betham) – Argentina 25 (Montero, Bosch)

Road to the semi-final…

Argentina: LWWWW

Australia: WWWWW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 16.00 Sunday 25th October

TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV.