Freshly introduced talents in Argentina's squad set to square off against the Lions at Aviva Stadium
A New-Look Argentina Squad Takes on the British & Irish Lions
Friday's one-off test at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin promises an exciting clash, with Argentina fielding a revamped squad, boasting multiple potential debutants. Coach Felipe Contepomi has elected to put several fresh faces on the field, albeit led by the experienced hooker, Julian Montoya.
Tomas Albornoz has snagged the fly-half spot, forming a half-back partnership with Gonzalo Garcia. Centre positions will be filled by Justo Piccardo, earning his first start, and Lucio Cinti. The speedy Ignacio Mendy and Rodrigo Isgro flank Piccardo and Cinti in the backline, with Santiago Carreras occupying the fullback position.
The front row comprises Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (captain), and Joel Sclavi. France Molina and Pedro Rubiolo take up the lock positions, while Joaquin Oviedo completes the forward pack as the number 8. Pablo Matera and Juan Martin Gonzalez round out the back row.
Contepomi has opted for a 5-3 forward-back split on the bench, with potential debutants Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, and Simon Benitez Cruz all in contention for their first international caps.
Contepomi expressed confidence in his young squad, stating, "There's a lot of new faces with only a few training sessions together, but the guys have put in the effort to grasp the new information quickly." He went on to share that "we're very pleased with how the newcomers have prepared so far. We've focused on ourselves and our plans for this team. We're aware the Lions will present a formidable challenge."
Here's the Argentine squad for the eagerly anticipated match against the British & Irish Lions:
Starters:- Mayco Vivas- Julian Montoya (capt)- Joel Sclavi- Franco Molina- Pedro Rubiolo- Pablo Matera- Juan Martín Gonzalez- Joaquin Oviedo- Gonzalo García- Tomas Albornoz- Ignacio Mendy- Justo Piccardo- Lucio Cinti- Rodrigo Isgro- Santiago Carreras
Bench:- Bautista Bernasconi- Boris Wenger- Francisco Coria Marchetti- Santiago Grondona- Joaquín Moro- Simón Benitez Cruz- Matias Moroni- Santiago Cordero
This fixture represents a crucial opportunity for Argentina to blood new talent while facing a strong British & Irish Lions team. Keep an eye out for the potential debutants, with Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, and Simon Benitez Cruz eager to make their international marks.
Football, specifically the Premier League in Europe, offers an intriguing comparison to the ongoing test match between Argentina and the British & Irish Lions. Just as Contepomi has fresh faces in his squad, managers in the Premier League often rotate their teams to introduce new players, seeking to balance youth with experience.
