The Scotland squad, led by Gregor Townsend, is preparing for a challenging contest against an Argentinian team he regards as being among the best-performing globally.
The Pumas currently hold sixth place in the rankings – a couple of spots ahead of the Scottish team – and have experienced a particularly successful period over the past half-year, highlighted by a victory against the British and Irish Lions in June, followed by Rugby Championship victories against both New Zealand and Australia.
Felipe Contepomi’s team arrives at Murrayfield on Sunday boosted by a decisive 52-28 triumph over Wales in Cardiff the previous weekend.
“They are an elite team,” Townsend emphasized. “They achieved a win against New Zealand this year and have participated in 10 or 11 Test matches since the summer, demonstrating their capabilities throughout that time.
“Looking at their recent performances, they narrowly missed a win against South Africa at Twickenham (27-29), and they secured a record-breaking victory against Wales last week. As a result, they are brimming with confidence, exhibit strong cohesion, and their style of rugby is both captivating to watch and will pose a significant challenge to our defence.”
Scotland
Argentina
“They certainly appear to be one of the most in-form teams in the realm of international rugby at the moment.”
Scotland has emerged victorious in seven of their last nine encounters with Argentina. However, their last meeting was in November 2022, when Townsend’s team secured a 52-29 victory.
“They have consistently been a top-tier team globally, and in recent years, they have elevated themselves into the top six,” remarked the Scotland head coach. “Their teamwork has grown considerably over the past few seasons.
“They possess numerous highly skilled individual players, but I believe the time they invest together, from June to November, which is afforded to Southern Hemisphere countries, allows them to develop and improve continually.
“They are supported by a highly competent coaching staff whom we hold in great respect. Their approach to the game aligns well with the demands of Test rugby at present, which involves a strong attack, robust defence, and the capability to secure the ball in aerial contests.”
Sunday’s game will mark the 50th appearance for Darcy Graham, the accomplished Edinburgh wing, since his debut in 2018.
“He has faced a few injuries along the way. Reaching 50 caps and being a joint top try scorer in our history speaks volumes about his talent when presented with opportunities, as well as his resilience in overcoming injuries,” Townsend commented.
“He has also significantly enhanced his overall game. Initially, he was challenging to defend against due to his footwork and strength, but he has since incorporated much more into his playing style.
“His performance in contact situations is outstanding, and his ability in high-ball situations is excellent. He has also evolved into a link player, creating opportunities for his teammates by drawing defenders to himself.
“We are delighted that he had the chance to participate in the Lions game during the summer and become a Lion, which he rightfully deserved based on his contributions over the past few years. Achieving his 50th cap will make it a memorable day for him.”
