'They are a top team... They’ve beaten New Zealand this year'

Gregor Townsend has braced his Scotland side for a tough Test against an Argentina side he views as one of the form teams in the world.

The Pumas are sixth in the rankings – two places above the Scots – and have had a particularly fruitful period over the last six months, including a victory over the British and Irish Lions in June and then Rugby Championship triumphs against New Zealand and Australia.

Felipe Contepomi’s side head to Murrayfield on Sunday buoyed by a 52-28 win over Wales in Cardiff last weekend.

“They are a top team,” stressed Townsend. “They’ve beaten New Zealand this year and they’ve played 10 or 11 Test matches since the summer and showed their quality throughout that period.

“Even in the recent games, they pushed South Africa close at Twickenham (27-29), they had a record win last week against Wales, so they’re full of confidence, very cohesive, and they play a brand of rugby that’s enjoyable to watch, that will test our defence.

Fixture

Internationals

Scotland

24 - 33

Full-time

Argentina

All Stats and Data

“They certainly seem one of the form teams in world rugby right now.”

Scotland have won seven of their last nine meetings with Argentina, although they have not met since November 2022, when Townsend’s men ran out 52-29 victors.

“They’ve always been a top eight team in the world, and the last couple of years they’ve got themselves into the top six,” said the Scotland head coach. “They’ve grown really cohesively over the last couple of seasons.

“They’ve got a lot of quality individual players, but I think that time they get to spend together from June to November that the Southern Hemisphere countries get, you can see them growing and growing.

“They’ve got a really good coaching staff who we respect a lot. Their way of playing has really suited Test rugby right now, which is having a good attack, strong defence, but also ability to win the ball in the air.”

Sunday’s match will see prolific Edinburgh wing Darcy Graham make his 50th appearance since his debut in 2018.

“He’s had a few injuries and to get to 50 caps and be a joint top try scorer in our history says something for his ability when he gets those opportunities, but also how he’s responded to injuries,” Townsend said.

“He’s really improved his game too. When he first came through, he was very difficult to defend because of his footwork and his strength, but he’s added so much more to his game.

“His contact work is outstanding, his high-ball work is excellent. He’s a link player now, so he creates opportunities for others when he draws a lot of defenders onto himself.

“We’re really pleased for him to get that Lions game in the summer to become a Lion. He really deserved that with what he’s done for us over the last few years. Now to get his 50th cap, it will be a special day for him.”