Daniel Hourcade is looking to move pieces against England. Argentina’s Head Coach fielded a line-up in training on Tuesday with changes made to that from the final round of the Rugby Championship.
Captain Agustín Creevy was joined in the starting front-row by Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Enrique Pieretto. The formation sees Tetaz Chaparro returning to Loose Head after having played as Tight Head in the Rugby Championship.
The move comes at a time in which stocks are low following the departure of Ramiro Herrera to France. It is, nonetheless, precautionary. Regular starting Loose Head prop, Lucas Noguera Paz is not training at 100% fitness.
In the second-row Matías Alemanno and Marcos Kremer were used as the first choice combination. It sees Tomás Lavanini again being overlooked following continued disciplinary problems. Regular starter Guido Petti is, for the time being, looking on.
In the back-row Tomás Lezana and Javier Ortega Desio trained as the flankers while Benjamín Macome was the starting No 8. Neither Pablo Matera nor Leonardo Senatore were involved in training. Both players are currently being monitored.
In the backs Martín Landajo and Nicolás Sánchez trained together as the starting halves combination. In the mid-field there was a double surprise. With Jerónimo de la Fuente still yet to return to be fully fit, Santiago González Iglesias trained as the inside center while Matías Moroni was outside center ahead of Matías Orlando.
In the back-three Joaquín Tuculet continues to hold-down the fullback birth. His wingers in practice were Emiliano Boffelli and Santiago Cordero. Not involved is Manuel Montero who has left his UAR contract to play URBA Top 12 rugby. Ramiro Moyano is mending a broken hand.
Possible Line-up
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomás Lezana, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 8 Benjamín Macome, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 13 Matías Moroni, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Joaquín Tuculet
Training will resume on Thursday. Wednesday is to be a free-day. On Thursday Hourcade will confirm his final roster for the tour to Europe. The team will depart Buenos Aires for London on Saturday.
Argentina’s tour to Europe includes three test matches. They are to be against England on November 11, Italy on November 18 and Ireland on November 25.