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World rugby's leading points scorer drops out of Argentina's starting XV
By Jon Newcombe
Santiago Carreras has to settle for a place on the bench for Argentina’s match against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, after Felipe Contepomi made five changes to the starting XV that played in last week’s record 52-28 win over Wales.
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Carreras slotted eight kicks out of eight at the Principality Stadium and is the leading points scorer in the world amongst the top ranked countries, having taken his tally for the year to 98 points.
The Bath star is replaced in the starting line-up by another standout performer from Argentina’s Rugby Championship campaign, Juan Cruz Mallía.
Mallía, whose been named as vice-captain, is one of two players to win their 50th caps, with openside Juan Martín González also set to reach the milestone.
The other changes to the backline see Rodrigo Isgró come in for Bautista Delguy on the right wing and Matías Moroni gets a chance at outside centre at the expense of Justo Piccardo.
In the pack, the front row remains the same, with Julián Montoya winning his 116th cap. But Marcos Kremer will not play at the ground where he was sent off on the Pumas’ last visit in 2022, having been left out of the matchday 23 altogether.
Pedro Rubiolo comes into the second row, where Kremer played out of position in Cardiff, while Santiago Grondona, who came off the bench and scored Argentina’s seventh and final try against Wales, has swapped places with Pablo Matera.
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Argentina team v Scotland:
1. Mayco Vivas (38)
2. Julián Montoya (115, capt.)
3. Pedro Delgado (7)
4. Guido Petti (96)
5. Pedro Rubiolo (29)
6. Santiago Grondona (24)
7. Juan Martín González (49)
8. Joaquín Oviedo (20)
9. Simon Benítez Cruz (8)
10. Gerónimo Prisciantelli (3)
11. Mateo Carreras (32)
12. Santiago Chocobares (34)
13. Matías Moroni (92)
14. Rodrigo Isgró (14)
15. Juan Cruz Mallía (49, vice-capt.)
Replacements:
16. Ignacio Ruiz (25)
17. Thomas Gallo (38)
18. Francisco Coria Marchetti (7)
19. Efraín Elías (1)
20. Pablo Matera 119) (vice-capt.)
21. Agustín Moyano (6)
22. Santiago Carreras (62)
23. Justo Piccardo (9)
*caps in brackets
