Argentina v England - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: Argentina will be eager to bounce back when they meet England for their second Test on Saturday.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes from the side that lost to England 12-35 last week.
After struggling against Fin Baxter and Joe Heyes last week, both Puma props, loosehead Mayco Vivas and tighthead Pedro Delgado, have dropped to the bench, with Thomas Gallo, who was a substitute last week, and Francisco Gomez Kodela replacing them.
The other two changes in the pack see lock Guido Petti start instead of Lucas Paulo and Bristol Bears flanker Santiago Grondona start over No.8 Facundo Isa, with vice-captain Pablo Matera shifting to the back of the scrum.
Conferencia de prensa de anuncio de equipo 🇦🇷 https://t.co/6Xzdhwjuen
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) July 10, 2025
Contepomi has also tinkered with his backline, with Harlequins’ Rodrigo Isgro out of the match with a head injury after causing plenty of problems to England’s backline in defeat. He will be replaced by Matias Moroni on the right wing, while left wing Ignacio Mendy will start in place of Santi Cordero.
The final change in the backline sees Simon Benitez Cruz start at scrum-half, with Gonzalo Bertranou out of the squad.
Of the seven players that have come into the starting XV, Gallo, Santiago Grondona, Benitez Cruz, and Matias Moroni tasted defeat at the hands of Steve Borthwick’s side last week from the bench.
There is just one change to England’s starting XV, with Luke Northmore set to make his first start in an England shirt at centre.
The replacement bench remains unchanged, retaining a 6-2 split between forwards and backs. The final Test in the two-match series sees George Ford and Jamie George as co-captains.
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“Saturday’s match in San Juan is another great challenge,” said England head coach Steve Borthwick.
“The players have trained with real focus and intensity this week, determined to keep improving in every area.
“We’re expecting a tactical battle as well as a tough, physical contest, and everyone is excited for what should be a fantastic Test match.”
Prediction:
Rugby365: Argentina by five points
Teams:
Argentina: 15 Benjamin Elizalde, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Justo Piccardo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Juan Martín González, 6 Santiago Grondona, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 2 Julián Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Benjamin Grondona, 22 Agustin Moyano, 23 Nicolas Roger
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Will Muir, 10 George Ford (co-captain), 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ben Curry, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (co-captain), 1 Fin Baxter.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Alex Dombrandt, 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Cadan Murley.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan
Kick-off: 16.40 (20.40 England time; 19.40 GMT)
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Source: Rugbypass
