Injuries force Contepomi's hand for Italy clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi was forced into a major reshuffle among the backs due to injury for Saturday’s test against Italy in Udine.

Only flyhalf Tomas Albornoz and wing Rodrigo Isgro keep their places from the starting lineup that lost 7-48 to South Africa in September’s Rugby Championship decider in Nelspruit.

Argentina has lost centre Santiago Chocobares for the rest of the year after he picked up an injury against the Springboks while Santiago Carreras will miss out because of a calf strain.

At fullback, Juan Cruz Mallia replaces Carreras while Matias Orlando is in for Chocobares at centre, with Bautista Delguy coming onto the wing in place of Mateo Carreras.

At scrumhalf, Gonzalo Garcia drops to the bench to be replaced by Gonzalo Bertranou.

Pablo Matera is suspended and Marcos Kremer is still injured, but the loose forward trio stays the same.

In the second row, Franco Molina is in for Tomas Lavanini, who has a sprained ankle.

The 40-year-old prop Francisco Gomez Kodela, who was recalled to the touring party for this month’s Tests against Italy, Ireland, and France, is among the replacements.

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Matias Alemmano, 20 Bautista Pedemonte, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Matias Moroni, 23 Santiago Cordero

Date: Saturday, November 9
Venue: Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
Kick-off: 17.40 GMT (14.40 Argentina time)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)