As three-time finalists, France are always a Rugby World Cup contender, but Argentina have often proven a thorn in Les Bleus' side and on Saturday in Tokyo they will be looking to inflict more pain.

In three meetings at rugby's showpiece event, Argentina have a two-win, one-loss record against the European power, both wins coming when France was hosting the tournament in 2007 -- one, like this, in the teams' opening match and the other in the bronze final.

(France rugby player Maxime Medard speaks to reporters after his team completed a training camp in Fujiyoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 18, 2019.)

However, Los Pumas are entering the tournament on a nine-match losing streak, including one defeat to France in Lille in November 2018, and face not only France but also England in a tough Pool C.

"We have full confidence in our game and each of us has a mission," said Argentina fullback Emiliano Boffelli on Friday.

"France will try to choke us from the defense and will try to put pressure on our strengths. We have done our homework well on how to break France."

Two-time World Cup player and now Argentina assistant coach Juan Fernandez Lobbe echoed his fullback's position.

"I anticipate a very physical defense and an attempt to choke us with all 13 of their players holding the line, alongside their nine and two full-backs, their 10 and 15," he said.

"On the attack, they will work on every minute detail...in their counterattack, or just in general."

(Argentina rugby players practice in Tokyo on Sept. 19, 2019.)

For their part, France have not shown any sign of wariness about the clash, despite it being of huge importance for their chances of securing a knockout-phase place.

France have never failed to reach the quarterfinals at the World Cup, and their coach Jacques Brunel is keen not to break that streak of success.

"We will try to apply our principles," he said on Thursday. "We know the qualities of the Argentines, their progress, especially since we met them recently."

"The first game is often key. It sets the tone. But you should not put all your energy into this first game...Winning would be ideal to get the World Cup off to a good start. But the other three matches will count. Everything will count to the end."

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Rugby: World Cup team profiles