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Contepomi makes 7 changes as Pumas look to bite back against England
By Josh Raisey
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes from the side that lost to England 35-12 for their rematch this weekend in San Juan.
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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.
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.
Argentina XV
15. Benjamin Elizalde
14. Matias Moroni
13. Lucio Cinti
12. Justo Piccardo
11. Ignacio Mendy
10. Santi Carreras
9. Simon Benitez Cruz
1. Thomas Gallo
2. Julian Montoya
3. Francisco Gomez Kodela
4. Guido Petti
5. Pedro Rubiolo
6. Santiago Grondona
7. Juan Martin Gonzalez
8. Pablo Matera
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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