Argentina team v France: Los Pumas get triple boost as powerhouse forward returns
Marcos Kremer is the headline returnee on the bench to face France
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has only made one change to his starting XV this weekend, but all eyes will be on his bench as Marcos Kremer, Lautaro Bazan Velez and Matteo Carreras all selected.
All three players have missed Argentina’s two previous Autumn Nations Series games to date but will be looking to mark their returns with a bang against France on Friday night.
Los Pumas make one change to starting XV
Whilst most of the focus will be on the key returnees on the bench, Contepomi has made just one change to his starting XV this weekend, with Gonzalo Garcia coming in to replace Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half.
That means Juan Cruz Mallia retains his spot at fullback, with Harlequins flier Rodrigo Isgro and Bautista Delguy on the wings. Lucio Cinti and Matias Moroni once again link-up in midfield for Los Pumas, with Garcia slotting in at nine alongside El Mago Nuevo Tomas Albornoz.
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In the pack, Juaqin Oviedo starts at number eight, with Saracens ace Juan Martin Gonzalez and iconic flanker Pablo Matera named at seven and six respectively. Pedro Rubiolo and Guido Petti once again partner up in the second-row, with Joel Sclavi and Thomas Gallo named as the props. Julian Montoya will once again skipper the side from hooker.
Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, the aforementioned duo of Kremer and Bazan Velez, Santi Carreras and M. Carreras all find themselves named in a strong and experienced bench.
Argentina team v France in full
Starting XV: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Matias Moroni, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Juaqin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16, Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Marcos Kremer, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Santi Carreras, 23 Mateo Carreras
Date: Friday 23rd November
Venue: Stade de France
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
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