After an incredible performance against Australia, Scotland will seek to maintain intensity and achieve a third win in a row vs Argentina.
The form
Scotland
Following the intense match against the third-ranked team in the world, Scotland will seek to repeat that fine performance and defeat the Pumas in Edinburgh. The Scots beat the Argentineans in the last two clashes in 2014, first in Cordoba (Argentina) and then in Edinburgh (Scotland), where they meet again this weekend.
Scotland – defended strongly against the Wallabies
After a poor effort in the last Six Nations tournament, Scotland beat Japan twice on their summer tour but without doubt their best match in 2016 was last week, when they went down by only one point to the powerful Wallabies. In that game they demonstrated their full potential, in troubling one of the best teams in the world. Scotland scored three tries, one more than Australia; they attacked aggressively and their defence held strong for most of the game.
Apparently the Scottish players are finally getting the message from head coach Vern Cotter, who is one of the best mentors in the world. He revolutionised rugby in the Top 14 at Clermont Auvergne, who won 77 home games in a row during his tenure, and then brought his skills to lift Scotland.
Vern Cotter at Clermont – one of the best mentors around
Argentina
After a magnificent victory in Japan, Argentina suffered a hard defeat in Cardiff last week, and now seeks to return to the path of victory against the Scots. They need to: the pundits in the Argentine media criticise this team which has many ups and downs.
Keeping a place among the top 8 in the world ranking before the draw for the World Cup remains the priority for Los Pumas. They didn’t play to their full capacity against Wales and will focus on being better on attack against Scotland.
Team news
Scotland
Head coach Vern Cotter has picked some new players for this clash. Fraser Brown will be in the front row, and Grant Gilchrist is promoted from the bench to replace Richie Gray, who has a suspected concussion. Cotter picked Magnus Bradbury at blindside flank and moved John Barclay to number eight, with Hamish Watson playing at openside flank. Tommy Seymour starting at left wing is the only change to the backline.
Juan Pablo Estelles in Rio – gets a chance after injuries
Argentina
Pumas head coach Daniel Hourcade believes in his starting XV, and has keep them intact except that Santiago Cordero replaces Ramiro Moyano on the left wing.
Juan Pablo Estelles is the new face on the South American bench. A very complete player who has always been on the radar of talent seekers but has suffered many injuries in his career. Had the Rio Sevens representative had a healthier history, he would have more than the one test cap he earned eight years ago. Now he has a great opportunity and must prove that the selectors were not mistaken to trust him.
Wales v Argentina – Los Pumas have to step up from that game
Game plans
Scotland
The Europeans will try to maintain the intensity that their coach has induced in them in defence and attack; to which add the historical characteristics of the Scottish rugby: hard tackles and solidity in the set pieces.
Argentina
Los Pumas, meanwhile, will try to keep the game so bold and risky, trying to keep the ball alive, imitating the Aussies and Kiwis. They should be an expansive-attacking threat with many offloads, as the Super Rugby style.
Prediction
The games between Scots and Argentines have always been hard; so making a prediction is always risky. In addition, the history of results between both countries is quite equitable. My heart says the Pumas will win but if Scotland manages to repeat last week’s performance, they will be in a dominant position and in that situation they can beat almost any team.
But in a very tight game…
Argentina by 4
Facundo Isa – Scotland have to stop this world-class no. 8
Team lists and details
Scotland
15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c), 8 John Barclay, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Allan Dell
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Moray Low, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Ali Price, 22 Pete Horne, 23 Tim Visser
Argentina
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Lucas Noguera
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Leonardo Senatore, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 23 Juan Pablo Estelles
Details
Date: Saturday, November 19
Venue: Murrayfield
Kick-off: 17:00 GMT
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Thomas Charabas (France)
TMO: Shaun Davey (England)
