Contepomi’s first Pumas team set to play fresh France faces in Mendoza
MENDOZA, Argentina (AP) — Argentina has a good chance to beat France in rugby on Saturday for the first time in eight years, ending a four-match losing run.
France has chosen to debut eight of its 22 uncapped players in the 42-man touring party, after leaving at home most of its Rugby World Cup squad. There's no Antoine Dupont, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Gael Fickou or Damian Penaud.
But new Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi has urged his side not to underestimate France, to see the jersey and not the names.
"The risk is that these are opportunities that are presented to many of them (France players) and they will want to take advantage of them," Contepomi said. "That is why we are not focusing on names but on what France is. They have been in the top four of the rankings for a long time. We are going to face that team, France, beyond the names."
After replacing coach Michael Cheika following the World Cup semifinal run, former Cheika assistant Contepomi has stressed continuity in his first selection. The starting XV has been turned over but still has 14 World Cup players. Wing Bautista Delguy has been recalled for his first test since November 2022.
In the absence of goalkicking sharpshooters Emiliano Boffelli (injured) and Nicolas Sanchez (retired), flyhalf Santiago Carreras will take the shots at goal, with backup from Benetton's Tomas Albornoz.
Two could make their debut off the bench, lock Franco Molina from the local Dogos XV, and back-rower Bautista Pedemonte, who helped Vannes win promotion back to the French Top 14. Eight Pumas play for French clubs.
Rested or unavailable Pumas include Juan Martin Gonzalez, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Lucio Cinti, and backs Juan Cruz Mallia and Santiago Chocobares, who won their third Top 14 title with Toulouse.
None of the Toulouse and Bordeaux players from that final on June 28 were brought to Argentina by France coach Fabien Galthie. But he picked 11 from beaten semifinalists La Rochelle and Stade Francais.
Only five World Cup players have made the trip: Prop Jean-Baptiste Gros and flyhalf Antoine Hastoy are starting, and backs Baptiste Couilloud and Melvyn Jaminet are in the reserves. Arthur Vincent missed out.
The only survivors from France's last match, the 33-31 Six Nations win over England in March, were fullback Leo Barre and props Georges-Henri Colombe and Sebastien Taofifenua.
The new caps include Pau lock Hugo Auradou, aged 20; La Rochelle No. 8 Oscar Jegou, aged 21; Racing 92 flanker Jordan Joseph; center Antoine Frisch, who came from Emerging Ireland and Munster but has signed for Toulon; and wingers Lester Etien, aged 29 from Stade Francais and Theo Attissogbe, aged 19 from Pau.
Lyon lock Mickael Guillard and Montpellier back-rower Lenni Nouchi, aged 20, could debut off a bench including six forwards.
La Rochelle flanker Judicael Cancoriet also plays his first test in six years.
The team is captained by scrumhalf Baptiste Serin, easily the most experienced player with 44 caps. His last test start was in 2020.
"A tour is a growth accelerator," Galthie said.
"From previous tours, in Australia, in Japan, some 'premium' players were born. I'm willing to bet that five or six players will be 'premium' for future years. I'm sure we have some gems here."
France also plays Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday, followed by a second test against Argentina in Velez.
