Rugby - Lavanini returns to bolster Argentina pack

Rugby - Lavanini returns to bolster Argentina pack
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Ireland vs Argentina - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - November 25, 2017 Argentina's Tomas Lavanini before the match REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne Copyright CLODAGH KILCOYNE(Reuters)
By Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

(Reuters) - Tomas Lavanini has been recalled to add power and aggression to the Argentina pack in their only change as they prepare to meet South Africa for a second successive week in the Rugby Championship in Mendoza on Saturday.

The Springboks dominated the Pumas forwards in winning 34-21 in their opening game in Durban and Lavanini is expected to help rectify that situation.

The 25-year-lock has a well-founded reputation for robust play and his ability to prove disruptive could cause South Africa problems.

Lavanini, who came off the bench last weekend, set a new record of six yellow cards in Pumas tests last year.

He is the only change to the starting XV as he takes the place of Matias Alemanno.

Saturday’s match marks the home debut for new coach Mario Ledesma, who added reinforcements to the squad after returning from Durban and has named two to the bench.

French-based hooker Facundo Bosch will be among the replacements and inside centre Jeronimo de la Fuente is also back on the reserve bench after injury.

Bosch is one of only two Europe-based players in the Argentina squad. The other is Saracens tighthead Juan Figallo.

Team: 15-Emiliano Boffelli, 14-Bautista Delguy, 13-Matias Moroni, 12-Bautista Ezcurra, 11-Ramiro Moyano, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 8-Javier Ortega Desio, 7-Marcos Kremer, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Juan Figallo, 2-Agustin Creevy (captain), 1-Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro

Replacements: 16-Facundo Bosch, 17-Santiago Garcia Botta, 18-Santiago Medrano, 19-Matías Alemanno, 20-Tomas Lezana, 21-Tomas Cubelli, 22-Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23-Juan Cruz Mallia

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Africa Cup of Nations 2023: Who will win the trophy?

African Football League: Will it revolutionise football on the continent?

Fans mingle, tension mounts ahead of World Cup final