Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against England in Santiago del Estero.
Los Pumas welcome England after opening their campaign with a defeat to Scotland before bouncing back to beat Wales 35-21 in San Juan.
Mayco Vivas replaces Boris Wenger at prop, while experienced centre Matías Moroni comes into the midfield in place of Lucio Cinti.
There is also a timely boost on the bench, where Toulouse forward Efraín Elías returns to the squad and is in line for his first appearance of the season.
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Argentina will be looking to improve a poor record against England, having won just five of their 31 previous meetings. Their last home victory over England came in Salta in 2009.
However, Los Pumas have fond memories of Santiago del Estero, where they remain unbeaten after victories over Scotland in 2022 and the Springboks in 2024.
The two sides last met at Twickenham in November, when England edged a thrilling contest 27-23.
England head into the Test after a heavy defeat to the Boks and a convincing win over Fiji, while Argentina have split their opening two Nations Championship fixtures with a loss to Scotland and victory over Wales.
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ARGENTINA – 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Justo Piccardo, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Joaquín Oviedo, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Santiago Grondona, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Tomás Rapetti, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Mayco Vivas.
Bench: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Ephraim Elijah, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Joaquín Moro, 22 Simón Benítez Cruz, 23 Lucio Cinti.
Photo: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images
The post Moroni returns for England showdown appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against England
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