Scotland v Argentina Preview

Scotland open up their Autumn internationals against Argentina, playing the Pumas for the second time this year after the two sides met in Cordoba in June. It was Scotland who prevailed in the end that day, with Duncan Weir securing the win with a late a penalty. Scotland endured another tough Six Nations campaign finishing second bottom only achieving one win against the Italians. As for Argentina they finished bottom in the Rugby Championship, but made huge leaps and bounds in the tournament. running South Africa close on two occasions before securing their first ever win in the competition defeating Australia in the final round of games.

In the last eight games these sides have played against each other both sides have picked up four wins each, with two of those games taking place at the 2007 and 2011 World Cup with the Pumas coming out on top on both occasions. Daniel Hourcade and in particular Vern Cotter are new enough to their roles as Head coaches of Argentina and Scotland and both coaches will be looking for a win as they prepare for the World Cup next year.

In team news for Scotland, Mark Bennett will make his test debut after an impressive start to the season for Glasgow. He is joined by many of his Glasgow teammates in the back line including Finn Russell who continues to get the nod at Outhalf ahead of Duncan Weir for both club and country. In the forwards brothers Jonny and Richie Gray will line up alongside each other at second row for the first time and Adam Ashe will start at number 8 making only his second appearance for his country.

As for The Pumas they make 5 changes from the side that defeated Australia last month. In the front row Herrera returns to the side, with Guilleman coming into the second row making his first appearance in a Pumas shirt. In the backline Marcelo Bosch returns to the side with Agulla dropping to the bench. While on the wings Montero starts with Amorosino involved in LV Cup action this weekend for his new club Cardiff Blues.

After winning 3 out their 4 games in June, Vern Cotter will look to continue his good start as Scotland head coach with a win against Argentina. As for the Pumas after finally ending a three year wait to secure a win in the Rugby Championship, they will look to build on that result with a win against Scotland with winnable games against Italy and France to follow in November.