Gregor Townsend has braced his Scotland aspect for a tricky Check in opposition to an Argentina aspect he views as one of many kind groups on this planet.
The Pumas are sixth within the rankings – two locations above the Scots – and have had a very fruitful interval over the past six months, together with a victory over the British and Irish Lions in June after which Rugby Championship triumphs in opposition to New Zealand and Australia.
Felipe Contepomi’s aspect head to Murrayfield on Sunday buoyed by a 52-28 win over Wales in Cardiff final weekend.
“They’re a high group,” harassed Townsend. “They’ve crushed New Zealand this 12 months and so they’ve performed 10 or 11 Check matches because the summer time and confirmed their high quality all through that interval.
“Even within the current video games, they pushed South Africa shut at Twickenham (27-29), they’d a report win final week in opposition to Wales, so that they’re stuffed with confidence, very cohesive, and so they play a model of rugby that’s satisfying to observe, that can check our defence.
“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 fiftieth look since his debut in 2018.
“He’s had just a few accidents and to get to 50 caps and be a joint high strive scorer in our historical past says one thing for his means when he will get these alternatives, but additionally how he’s responded to accidents,” Townsend stated.
“He’s actually improved his recreation too. When he first got here by means of, he was very tough to defend due to his footwork and his energy, however he’s added a lot extra to his recreation.
“His contact work is excellent, his high-ball work is great. He’s a hyperlink participant now, so he creates alternatives for others when he attracts numerous defenders onto himself.
“We’re actually happy for him to get that Lions recreation in the summertime to develop into a Lion. He actually deserved that with what he’s finished for us over the previous couple of years. Now to get his fiftieth cap, it will likely be a special occasion for him.”
