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Five changes for Argentina clash with Italy as captain Montoya ruled out

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In short

Argentina has made five alterations to the starting fifteen following their 42-12 loss to Ireland last Friday. Julian Montoya's absence due to concussion forces Bautista Bernasconi into the starting hooker spot, with Facundo Bosch providing bench cover for his first test appearance in five years. Additional fitness issues have led to Marcos Kremer and Juan Cruz Mallia missing out, prompting a significant reorganisation of the back row and backline. Rodrigo Isgro and Simon Benitez Cruz also earn starting roles as the squad seeks a stronger performance in Italy.

Key points

  • Argentina is seeking a swift recovery after suffering a lopsided 42-12 defeat to Ireland…: Argentina is seeking a swift recovery after suffering a lopsided 42-12 defeat to Ireland last week.
  • Severe injuries to key leaders Julian Montoya, Marcos Kremer, and Juan Cruz Mallia forced…: Severe injuries to key leaders Julian Montoya, Marcos Kremer, and Juan Cruz Mallia forced wholesale changes to the lineup.
  • Head coach Felipe Contepomi has reconfigured both the forward pack and outside backs to a…: Head coach Felipe Contepomi has reconfigured both the forward pack and outside backs to adapt to mounting physical casualties.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

PARMA, Italy, Nov 12 : Argentina captain Julian Montoya has been ruled out with concussion from Saturday’s Nations Championship clash against Italy in Genoa with Pablo Matera named to take over as skipper.

• Coach Felipe Contepomi announced on Thursday five changes from the side beaten 42-12 by Ireland in Dublin last Friday.

• Bautista Bernasconi, who joined the squad on Monday, takes over from Montoya at hooker, with last week’s replacement Leonel Oviedo also unavailable after suffering a sprain to his left knee, which rules him out for the rest of the competition. Facundo Bosch is the substitute hooker, having won his last cap for Argentina five years ago.

• There are changes among the loose forwards where Matera moves from number eight to blindside flanker with Joaquin Moro on the open side and Juan Martin Scelzo at the back of the scrum. Juan Martin Gonzalez has been dropped to the bench, while Marcos Kremer is out with a right ankle sprain

• Simon Benitez Cruz will play at scrumhalf in place of Gonzalo Garcia, who is among the…

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