Tomás Albornoz returns to the Argentina side following his suspension, joining a lineup with an average of 50 Test caps for Friday’s Nations Championship clash against Ireland.
Head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a starting XV boasting a combined 750 appearances for Los Pumas, with captain Julián Montoya, No 8 Pablo Matera and lock Guido Petti all having passed the 100-cap mark.
Flyhalf Albornoz returns after completing a four-match ban for misconduct following Argentina’s 31-24 defeat against England in July. He was banned after confronting referee Angus Gardner following the disallowed late try that denied the Argentinians a chance to draw the match.
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He partners Gonzalo García at halfback, with Santiago Chocobares and Justo Piccardo named in midfield.
There is also experience in the back three, where Mateo Carreras and Bautista Delguy occupy the wings, with Juan Cruz Mallía at fullback. Mallía scored Argentina’s only try in their previous meeting with Ireland in Dublin, a 22-19 defeat in 2024.
Eight members of the run-on group featured in that match, while Los Pumas will have to manage without Santiago Carreras, who is sidelined by a season-ending knee injury.
Argentina have yet to beat Ireland in 11 Tests in Dublin and will be looking to end that run at the Aviva Stadium.
ARGENTINA – 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Justo Piccardo, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo García, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Boris Wenger.
Bench: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Ephraim Elias, 20 Juan Martín Scelzo, 21 Simón Benítez Cruz, 22 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 23 Lucio Cinti.
Photo: Getty Images
The post Fully-loaded Los Pumas pick lippy flyhalf appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Tomás Albornoz returns to the Argentina side following his suspension, joining a lineup with an average of 50 Test caps for Friday’s Nations Championship clash against Ireland.
The post Fully-loaded Los Pumas pick lippy flyhalf appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
