Maradona inspires Argentina to impressive victory at Rugby World Cup

Football legend Diego Maradona helped roar Argentina to victory over Tonga ©Getty Images

Football legend Diego Maradona performed a celebratory dressing room dance as his Argentina team overcame Tonga 45-16 to boost their Rugby World Cup qualification hopes in Leicester today, while Ireland laboured to victory over Italy.

Both sides came into the match on the back of a wins in Group C, over Georgia and Namibia respectively, although the South Americans were in the stronger position as their only blemish had come in their opening match against defending champions and group leaders New Zealand.

The Pacific Islanders threw caution to the wind in some ferocious opening exchanges, being duly rewarded when Kurt Morath crossed for an opening try.

But the Argentinians gradually began to dominate, and established a 20-13 half-time lead after tries of their own from Joaquin Tuculet and Juan Imhoff.

Argentina outlasted Tonga in a fierce encounter in Leicester ©Getty Images

As the Tongans tired, Argentina's superiority grew further as Nicolas Sanchez crossed for a try in addition to 20 points with the boot, while Julian Montoya and Santiago Cordero added further gloss with late five-pointers.

Argentina now sit in second place and will be guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals with a victory over Namibia in their final match.

If they are to repeat their 2007 performance and reach the semi-finals, Maradona, winner of the Mexico 1986 FIFA World Cup, has promised to come and watch them again.

Tonga, meanwhile, must beat New Zealand in their final match and hope Argentina fall short to stand any chance of qualifying.

In Group D Ireland have already secured their last eight place after a hard-fought 16-9 victory over an Italian side inspired by the return of their talismanic captain, Sergio Parisse.

Sergio Parisse's return galvanised Italy, but Ireland narrowly won over 80 minutes ©Getty Images

Playing in front of 53,000 fans at London's Olympic Stadium, the Irish took a 10-3 lead courtesy of a 19th minute try from Keith Earl, but led by just four points at the break thanks to a successful Tommaso Allan penalty.

That lead was trimmed to just a single point soon after the interval, but Irish fly half Johnny Sexton relieved pressure with two successful kicks of his own.

It was a vastly improved performance from Italy following their efforts in losing to France and narrowly beating Canada, but Ireland have more work to do if they are to beat the French and win the group next week.