Argentina have named former Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma as the team's new head coach, replacing Daniel Hourcade in the role.

Hourcade stepped down following a string of poor results in June, and Jaguares coach Ledesma is now the man charged with leading his country into next year's Rugby World Cup.

Having taken charge of the Super Rugby outfit for the 2018 season, Ledesma impressed by guiding Jaguares to the qualifiers, where they were beaten by eventual finalists the Lions.

"Today, being the captain of this ship fills me with pride," said the former Stade Francais, Montpellier and Australia forwards coach.

"It's not pressure, it's not something that intimidates me.

"We are in an important moment to be responsible, to plan. This is a huge challenge.

"The expectation is to compete to win all matches. To generate competitiveness that allows us to be always in the game."

Ledesma won 84 caps for Argentina during his playing career, which was mostly spent at Clermont Auvergne.