FLANKER PABLO MATERA returns to the Argentina team for Friday’s clash with Ireland at Aviva Stadium, with head coach Felipe Contepomi making three changes to the starting XV that lined out for last weekend’s defeat of Italy.
The Pumas vice-captain missed the Italy game due to suspension but comes straight back into the Argentina back row.
Centre Matthias Moroni also comes into the starting XV, starting at 12 ahead of Matias Orlando.
¡Nuestros 23 para el viernes en Dublín! 🏉
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) November 13, 2024
👉 Ventana de noviembre
📆 Viernes 15/11
🆚 Irlanda 🇮🇪
⏰ 17:10 hs (ARG) / 20:10 hs (IR)
🏟️ Aviva Stadium (Dublín)
📺 ESPN#SomosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/fbhmOLguPa
The third and final change sees lock Guido Petti join Pedro Rubiolo in the Argentina second row.
There is no place in the matchday 23 for Connacht’s Santiago Cordero, who was available for selection.
Argentina:
- 15. Juan Cruz Mallia (40 caps)
- 14. Rodrigo Isgro (5)
- 13. Lucio Cinti (30)
- 12. Matthias Moroni (87)
- 11. Bautista Delguy (31)
- 10. Tomas Albornoz (15)
- 9. Gonzalo Bertranou (66)
- 1. Thomas Gallo (33)
- 2. Julian Montoya (103) (capt)
- 3. Joel Sclavi (25)
- 4. Guido Petti (85)
- 5. Pedro Rubiolo (18)
- 6. Pablo Matera (107)
- 7. Juan Martin Gonzalez (38)
- 8. Joaquin Oviedo (11)
Replacements:
- 16. Ignacio Ruiz (16)
- 17. Ignacio Streets (6)
- 18. Francisco Gomez Kodela (39)
- 19. Franco Molina (10)
- 20. Santiago Grondona (19)
- 21. Gonzalo Garcia (9)
- 22. Santiago Carreras (51)
- 23. Justo Piccardo (0)
Hugely interesting game
@Gary Galligan: Los pumas have some lightning quick ex 7s players in that backline who demonstrated ripping teams apart in the R championship. Should be an entertaining game ..hopefully a dry evening …
@Gary Galligan: should be far more entertaining than last Friday!! Fraught with danger for Ireland given that Pumas selection..