France play host to Argentina with a clean sweep of the autumn tests within their grasp, and a chance to show some rare consistency in their performance. While France have historically had the advantage, the tides have swung considerably in the professional era, with Argentina actually winning the majority since the turn of the millenium. Home field advantage typically moves the needle in France’s favour, but again this has proved virtually negligible in the case of Argentina, who celebrated victory twice in Paris in 2007.
Five changes adorn the French side from the one that triumphed over the Wallabies, including three up front. Xavier Chiocci has earned a first test start in place of clubmate Alexandre Menini, while rotation sees Benjamin Kayser switch jerseys with Guilhem Guirado. Yoann Maestri drops to the bench with Sebastien Vaha’ahamina adding bulk to the engine room, and a lone change on the reserves bench restores once-capped Charles Ollivon, with Yannick Nyanga left out.
Maxime Mermoz replaces Alexandre Dumoulin in what was due to be the only change to the backline, but a late change places Maxime Medard on the left wing. Teddy Thomas had been the sensation of the side on the pitch during the last two outings. Off the pitch, however, there seem to be some problems as he missed a team video session for reasons unknown, leading to his withdrawal from the match. Hopefully we’ll see him back for the Six Nations.
Argentina, as expected, have brought back their first choice backline after experimenting against the Italians. Nicolás Sánchez is recalled at flyhalf, with Juan Martín Hernández pushed back out into the midfield to partner Marcelo Bosch. Juan Imhoff comes back on the right wing, with Lucas González Amorosino moved to the bench. Tomás Cubelli continues at scrumhalf, but sees the captaincy restored to fit again Agustín Creevy.
Creevy is the only change in the forward pack, with Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Guido Petti retained despite less than impressive outings against the Azzurri. Ramiro Herrera is again forced to watch from the bench, with Lucas Ponce unlucky not to be given a starting role in the second row. Tomás Lezana failed to see any action against Italy and still awaits his first cap.
Though the forwards are of course Argentina’s traditional strength, in this case France have an advantage in experience across the second and back row, and will likely try to impose their will up front using a superior lineout and driving maul. The Pumas will depend heavily on their front row to find an edge at the scrum, and rising star Tomas Lavanini to wreak havoc in the contact area. It’s unlikely either side will opt for much adventure out wide, and if so the backlines look pretty even. With positional advantage goes the spoils, France by 7.
FRANCE vs ARGENTINA
Saturday, November 22, 20:00 GMT, Paris
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
Assistants: Steve Walsh (ARU) & Stuart Berry (SARU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)
