Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a strong, experienced starting XV for Friday’s highly anticipated Test against the British and Irish Lions.
With excitement building for this rare showdown, Contepomi has turned to familiar faces, selecting a core group of seasoned internationals including captain Julián Montoya and veteran flanker Pablo Matera to lead the charge.
Los Pumas have made five changes to the team that last took the field in a 37–23 loss to France during the Autumn Nations Series in Paris last November. Two of those switches come in the pack, with Franco Molina replacing Guido Petti in the second row and Mayco Vivas coming in at loosehead prop for Thomas Gallo.
Montoya anchors the front row at hooker, joined by Vivas and tighthead Joe Sclavi. Molina will partner Pedro Rubiolo in the engine room, while Matera and Saracens’ dynamic flanker Juan Martín Gonzalez resume their partnership on the flanks. Joaquín Oviedo earns the nod at number eight, forming a well-balanced and mobile back row.
The backline sees three changes, most notably Santiago Carreras returning at full-back in place of Juan Cruz Mallia. Ignacio Mendy is named on the left wing, while Justo Piccardo slots in at inside centre, joining Lucio Cinti in midfield.
Benetton fly-half Tomas Albornoz continues at No. 10 alongside scrum-half Gonzalo García, with Rodrigo Isgro, the former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, starting on the right wing to complete the back three.
Contepomi has opted for a conventional 5-3 bench split, with Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, and Francisco Coria Marchetti offering front-row depth. Santiago Grondona and Joaquín Moro round out the forward cover, while experienced backs Matías Moroni, Santiago Cordero, and Simón Benítez Cruz will be on standby for impact.
The fixture marks a historic occasion – Argentina and the Lions have not met since 2005, when the two sides played to a dramatic 25–25 draw in Cardiff ahead of the Lions’ tour to New Zealand. This match serves as a crucial litmus test for Los Pumas as they build toward the next Rugby Championship cycle and beyond.
Los Pumas team to face the British & Irish Lions
Argentina: 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Justo Piccardo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joe Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Boris Wenger, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Joaquin Moro, 21 Simon Benítez Cruz, 22 Matias Moroni, 23 Santiago Cordero
