Carreras back for Argentina in crucial Japan game

Michael Cheika's Argentina are currently in second place in Pool D, above Japan on points difference

Venue: Beaujoire Stadium, Nantes Date: Sunday, 8 October Kick-off: 12.00 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Santiago Carreras has been chosen as Argentina's fly-half for their crucial World Cup Pool D meeting with Japan.

Carreras replaces Nicolas Sanchez, who made his 100th appearance for Argentina in the 59-5 victory over Chile.

Prop Francisco Gomez Kodela returns to the XV for his first start since the opening defeat against England.

Indeed, Argentina head coach Michael Cheika makes 11 changes following the win over Chile last week, with only Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti retaining their places.

Kremer and Gonzalez are the only two players to have started every Pumas match at this World Cup.

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By contrast, Japan head coach Jamie Joseph makes only one change to the side that beat Samoa 28-22, with Siosaia Fifita replacing Jone Naikabula on the left wing.

Eight of the Japan XV - Amato Fakatava, Keita Inagaki, Jiwon Gu, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch, Rikiya Matsuda, Kotaro Matsushima, and Ryoto Nakamura - will have started every game in Pool D.

A draw in this game could be enough to secure second place for either Japan or Argentina, depending on whether either earns a bonus point and Samoa's result against England, who have already secured first place in Pool D.

In the unlikely event that both get try-scoring bonus points in a draw, Argentina will finish second on points difference.

Line-ups

Japan: Lemeki; Matsushima, Riley, Nakamura, Fifita; Matsuda, Saito; Inagaki, Horie, Gu, Cornelsen, Fakatava, Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno.

Replacements: Sakate, Millar, Ai Valu, Dearns, Saumaki, Nagare, Yamanaka, Naikabula.

Argentina: Cruz Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Gomez Kodela, Petti, Lavanini, Matera, Kremer, Martin Gonzalez.

Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Rubiolo, Bazan Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.

Match officials

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ)

Touch judges: Paul Williams (NZ), James Doleman (NZ)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZ)