Pumas confirm lineup that will face Italy on Saturday

November 12, 2026
61
Ultimate Rugby

Following their defeat to Ireland in Dublin (42-12), Los Pumas have confirmed their lineup for their visit to Italy at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa on Saturday, November 14, at 8:40 AM Argentina time (12:40 PM Italy time). This will be the second match of the Nations Championship finale for Felipe Contepomi's team, who will then travel to Paris to face France (November 21) and play the finals weekend at Twickenham, London (November 27-29).

Argentina's Pumas face Gonzalo Quesada's Italy, who are coming off a 7-66 loss to South Africa in Turin. In total, the two teams have played 24 matches, with Argentina winning 18, losing 5, and drawing 1. Their last encounter was in the November 2004 international window in Udine, which Argentina won 50-18. In Genoa, Argentina has won both matches played there: 39-22 in 2005 and 20-18 in 2014.

Felipe Contepomi made five changes to the starting lineup compared to the match against Ireland. In the forwards, Bautista Bernasconi will replace Julián Montoya, who is unavailable due to the head injury he suffered in the last match. In the back row, Joaquín Moro and Juan Martín Scelzo will start in place of Marcos Kremer, who has a sprained right ankle, and Juan Martín González, who will start on the bench. Pablo Matera will move to number 6 and will captain the team. In the backs, Simón Benítez Cruz will wear the number 9 jersey, replacing Gonzalo García. Meanwhile, Juan Cruz Mallía's injury forced Contepomi to reshuffle his lineup, with Rodrigo Isgró coming into the starting lineup at wing and Bautista Delguy moving to fullback. It's worth noting that Facundo Bosch and Facundo Isa have returned to the national team among the substitutes.

Leonel Oviedo will no longer be part of the squad after suffering a sprained left knee. Additionally, Benjamín Grondona joins the group following Marcos Kremer's injury.

In addition, Leonel Oviedo will no longer be part of the training camp after suffering a sprain to his left knee.

Here is the lineup for Los Pumas to face Italy in Genoa: