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New Argentina era begins with 9 changes from World Cup bronze line-up
By Josh Raisey
New Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi has named his first side of his tenure, making nine changes to the starting XV that will take on France on Saturday in Mendoza to the one that last ran out for the Pumas.
The Argentina great took over from Michael Cheika at the conclusion of the World Cup last year, where the Pumas finished in fourth place following a 26-23 loss to England in the bronze final.
Loosehead Thomas Gallo, captain and hooker Julian Montoya, flanker Marcos Kremer, fly-half Santiago Carreras, wing Mateo Carreras and centre Jeronimo de la Fuente are the only survivors in the starting XV from that match at the Stade de France.
Despite plenty of changes, ASM Clermont Auvergne winger Bautista Delguy is the only member of the starting line-up that was not part of the World Cup campaign last year.
The bench is slightly more experimental, however, with lock Franco Molina and flanker Bautista Pedemonte poised to make their debuts. Props Ignacio Ruiz and Lucio Sordoni, and flyhalf Tomas Albornoz all have fewer than ten caps as well.
Argentina XV
1. GALLO, Thomas (23 caps)
2. MONTOYA, Julián (95 caps) – captain
3. BELLO, Eduardo (21 caps)
4. ALEMANNO, Matías (94 caps)
5. PAULOS, Lucas (12 caps)
6. MATERA, Pablo (98 caps) – vice-captain
7. KREMER, Marcos (64 caps) – vice-captain
8. OVIEDO, Joaquín (2 caps)
9. BERTRANOU, Gonzalo (57 caps)
10. CARRERAS, Santiago (42 caps)
11. CARRERAS, Mateo (17 caps)
12. DE LA FUENTE, Jerónimo (78 caps)
13. MORONI, Matías (80 caps)
11. DELGUY, Bautista (25 caps)
15. BOGADO, Martín (3 caps)
Replacements
16. RUIZ, Ignacio (7 caps)
17. VIVAS, Mayco (21 caps)
18. SORDONI, Lucio (5 caps)
19. MOLINA, Franco (debut)
20. PEDEMONTE, Bautista (debut)
21. BAZÁN VÉLEZ, Lautaro (13 caps)
22. ALBORNOZ, Tomás (5 caps)
23. ORLANDO, Matías (58 caps)
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Latest Comments
You’d hope so. The A game is good for the guys close to selection.
Must say I didn’t think Tom was a standout in the A game but it’s the only game I’ve watched him this season that he wasn’t.
Luke Reimer was a clear MoM from our perspective - hard to believe Tizzano, for all his effort, is considered a better option to back up FMR. He’s a world class breakdown threat, he’s a powerful defender, and his carrying has really stepped up.
Go to commentsto help the referee's decision, it seems he also deliberately push the ball directly in touch. But already the first yellow card and some penalties showed a lack of discipline.
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