Argentina v Scotland Second Test: Summer Tour 2022, Match Preview pt II – head to heads

Until last Saturday, Agustin Creevy was the only member of Argentina’s squad to have played in a win over Scotland (in both 2009 and 2011, Juan Imhoff was an unused sub in that latter match). Scottish fans will be hoping the Pumas haven’t developed a taste for these sorts of victories…

Tale of the tape

BACKS
57   Tries   46
87kg   Average weight   93kg
295   Total caps   138
29.3   Average age   26.7

FORWARDS
895kg   Pack weight   891kg
25   Tries   15
375   Total caps   214
29.1   Average age   27.8

SUBSTITUTES
20   Tries   13
228   Total caps   125
28.7   Average age   26.5

5 changes to Scotland’s starting XV from last Test (v Argentina)

• 9 – White for Price [–]
• 2 – Cherry for Turner [=]
• 4/5 – Skinner for Gray [+]
• 6 – Darge for Bradbury [=]
• 7 – Watson for Crosbie [+]

Head-to-Head

Overall

Backs – advantage Argentina

Scotland’s backline definitely felt a little bit less than the sum of its parts last week. With another week on the training paddock, there should be a bit more cohesion there but surely the main goal has to be that staple of schoolboy rugby – give it to the big lad. For a couple of his defensive efforts, Duhan van der Merwe looked like he was on fast forward compared to the Argentinians he was chasing down but with only two carries he never got the opportunity to show his speed (and power) in attack.

Forwards – advantage Scotland

With Pablo Matera dropping out and Hamish Watson and Rory Darge dropping in, the on-paper battle tilts towards the visitors. Last week there was generally a good contest around the setpiece but Argentina’s pack were far more precise and accurate and dominated the contact areas for much of the game. Will the loss of their talisman and Scotland’s selection of two scavengers be enough to disrupt the Pumas’ ball?

Subs – even

Scotland should have a bit more leadership and experience to come off the bench. Having worked their way back into the game but then lost the run of things in the First Test just as the replacement roundabout was getting into full swing, Gregor Townsend and his staff will be looking for some level heads who can step straight into the pace of the game in Salta.

Miscellany 

– In their last 20 games the only other occasion that Scotland started a Test match with no Exiles in their pack was the fixture versus Tonga which was outside the player release window.

– 8 is the equal most Edinburgh players in a starting lineup during the Townsend era.

– There are no Edinburgh players on the bench – the only other time that has happened in the Townsend era was against Samoa during the World Cup.

– Jamie Bhatti hasn’t featured for Scotland since the game versus Japan last November. Dave Cherry has had an even longer wait – since his try-scoring outing against France in Paris more than 15 months ago in fact.

– After playing in 20 consecutive matches from his debut in summer 2019 to the 2021 Six Nations, Scott Cummings has only featured once in Scotland’s last 12 outings prior to the Second Test.

– Zander Fagerson has been selected in 27 of the last 28 Scotland matchday squads.

– This is the first time in 2022 that Scotland’s replacement scrum-half hasn’t been called Ben (Ben White five times and Ben Vellacott once).