This past June the Scots enjoyed a surprise victory over the Pumas in Córdoba, but it’s a seriously upgraded Argentinean side that shows up at Murrayfield. In fact only four of the starting side took part in that match, with Scotland instead set to take on the majority of the team that toppled the Wallabies in Mendoza a month ago. Vern Cotter has had to deal with a relatively low number of injuries compared to other nations, but has still opted to field a very experimental side.
With newly appointed captain Grant Gilchrist dropping out due to a broken arm, Scottish fans will at last get their dream second row pairing of brothers Richie and Jonny Gray for the first time. On paper it looks very handy and the question is if it goes well, does Gilchrist come straight back into the side? For the time being it will be Greig Laidlaw assuming the captaincy once more, but one wonders if perhaps Jonny might have been the more astute selection given his impressive maturity for his age and his undoubted potential.
Scotland’s best scrummaging front row is rolled out to face the ‘bajada’, but with Euan Murray looking on creaky legs it could be a struggle to hold off Marcos Ayerza and Ramiro Herrera. In behind, the back row combines for only 11 caps of experience between them. Rob Harley and Blair Cowan are an abrasive flanker pair, with young gun Adam Ashe kept in the no8 jersey after emerging from his maiden run against the Springboks relatively unscathed.
Similarly, Cotter has kept the faith with Finn Russell at flyhalf, and hands a much anticipated debut to silky centre Mark Bennett. The youngster should feel right at home surrounded by an all-Glasgow backline. Matt Scott misses out through injury and Tim Visser has been left out with Tommy Seymour’s all-around skills preferred on the wing.
Argentina have lost their first choice back row of Juan Fernández Lobbe, Pablo Matera, and Juan Manuel Leguizamón for the entirety of November, but proved against Australia that they now have strength in depth. Rodrigo Báez in particular has been a standout over the past few weeks as he captained the Jaguars to victory in the recent Americas Rugby Championship in Victoria. The loss of Mariano Galarza is also a blow, and with Matías Alemanno ruled out of this match with an illness it means a first cap for Stade Français lock Juan Cruz Guillemaín.
The dangerous backline remains entirely intact, however, and with a new hybrid pitch at Murrayfield providing some stable footing, the expansive game plan adopted under head coach Daniel Hourcade could be used to full effect. Juan Martín Hernández has added real width to the attack since moving to centre, and the outside backs have been in cracking form. Let’s also not forget the underrated flyhalf Nicolás Sánchez, who just never seems to have a bad game.
While the Scottish lineup looks full of promise, it also looks a little too green to seriously take on one of the better Pumas sides to have visited Edinburgh. The scrum will surely be won by Argentina, and team cohesion heavily favours the tourists as well. Scotland have some classy individuals but won’t be able to make it all gel on day one. Look for this to be a fun match with both sides looking to play enterprising rugby, and Argentina coming away winners by 10.
SCOTLAND vs ARGENTINA
Saturday, November 8, 17:30 GMT, Edinburgh
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistants: George Clancy (IRFU) & Marius Mitrea (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
