Hourcade turns to rookies for final Test

Centre Bautista Ezcurra will win his first Argentina cap when he plays against Scotland Saturday in a one-off Test at Estadio Centenario in Resistencia.

His selection ahead of Jeronimo de la Fuente is among six changes – one injury-enforced – to the side outplayed 12-30 by Wales in Santa Fe last weekend.

Argentina also suffered a heavy loss to Wales in the first of two Tests, leaving them needing to defeat Scotland to avoid a mid-season whitewash.

In the other backline alteration, wing Sebastian Cancelliere gets a first start for the Pumas in place of injured Ramiro Moyano.

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Among the forwards, coach Daniel Hourcade has altered the front, second and back rows for his final match in charge after a poor two-season run led him to quit.

Loosehead Javier Diaz replaces Santiago Garcia Botta, lock Matias Alemanno takes over from Tomas Lavanini and flank Tomas Lezana comes in for Marcos Kremer.

At No.8, veteran Leonardo Senatore gets the nod ahead of Javier Ortega Desio for his first appearance of the June Tests.

In earlier tour matches, Scotland walloped Canada 48-10 before suffering a shock 29-30 defeat by the United States.

ARGENTINA

15. Emiliano Boffelli, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Matias Orlando, 12. Bautista Ezcurra, 11. Sebastian Cancelliere, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martín Landajo, 8. Leonardo Senatore, 7. Tomas Lezana, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Matias Alemanno, 4. Guido Petti, 3. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2. Agustin Creevy (C), 1. Javier Diaz.

Replacements: 16. Julian Montoya, 17. Santiago Garcia Botta, 18. Santiago Medrano, 19. Marcos Kremer, 20. Tomas Lavanini, 21. Gonzalo Bertranou, 22. Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23. Juan Cruz Mallia.

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