LionsWatch: Laidlaw looking to finish the job against Pumas

Scotland host Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday looking looking to build on the positives from last weekend’s narrow 23-22 loss to Australia.

The Scots gave the Wallabies a real scare in front of a packed home crowd last weekend, agonisingly missing out by a single point and displaying an exciting brand of rugby in the process – outscoring their opponents by three tries to two.

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The Pumas meanwhile are looking to bounce back from their 24-20 defeat to Wales in Cardiff last week and will be desperate to stop Scotland from making it three wins in a row in the head-to-head.

The game is also significant as far as world rankings are concerned, as Scotland can overtake the Pumas if they are successful on Saturday.
 
Team News
 
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has made only four changes to the side that played Australia and is giving a debut to 21-year-old back row Magnus Bradbury.

Tommy Seymour replaces Tim Visser at wing to join the 2013 British & Irish Lions Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland in the back three.

The rest of the backs remain the same, including the immensely impressive double try scorer Huw Jones keeping his partnership with Alex Dunbar at centre, while Greg Laidlaw and Finn Russell continue at nine and ten.
 

ICYMI | Uncapped back-row Bradbury among four changes to Scotland team to start v Argentina this Saturday | https://t.co/qSFUbJtgzN #AsOne pic.twitter.com/704s2nAjnV

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 17, 2016

Ross Ford – who won his 100th cap against Australia – drops to the bench with Fraser Brown starting at hooker between Allan Dell and Zander Fagerson.

The final change to the starting line-up from last weekend’s narrow defeat sees Grant Gilchrist come in for the injured Lion Richie Gray at lock.

Cotter makes two further changes to the bench, with lock Tim Swinson called in for the promoted Gilchrist and prop Alex Allan replacing Gordon Reid.

Similar to Scotland, the Pumas have opted for continuity with head coach Daniel Hourcade keeping the same XV that started against Wales.

What they’ve been saying
 
Greig Laidlaw (Scotland scrum-half and captain): "Everybody must understand what's working for us to make sure we get over the line.

"We need to grow up right throughout the team, no matter if it's the young boys coming in or the most experienced players.

"We just need to keep discipline in our shape in what we are trying to do and have confidence in each other to hold the ball.”

 
Daniel Hourcade (Argentina head coach): "We didn't stick to our plans [against Wales] and kicked too much. We didn't play a game we feel comfortable with and got a bit lost.

"We must try to do what we planned and if we lose then it will have been doing our best."
 
Head-to-head
 
Following his two tries scored against Australia last weekend, Huw Jones is a dangerous player in red-hot form.

Equally capable in defence and attack, the Stormers centre already looks at home in the Scotland backline but will be tested in midfield this weekend against Juan Martin Hernandez.

Despite not being a direct match-up, the 34-year-old Pumas legend will test Jones from inside centre.

Blessed with a superb kicking game, Hernandez’s defensive contributions are not to be underestimated and he will relish the challenge of keeping a lid on Jones.

Key Stats

Scotland are searching for their third consecutive win over Argentina, after a 41-31 win at Murrayfield in 2014 and a 21-19 victory in Cordoba that same year.

The Scots have won four of the last five against the Pumas, but have only won two of the six matches the sides have played at BT Murrayfield.

The Pumas still hold the bragging rights overall with nine wins from 15 internationals – eight of these victories coming in the first ten matches.

Teams

Scotland
15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14. Sean Maitland (Saracens)
13. Huw Jones (Stormers)
12. Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors)
10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors)
9. Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester)
 
1. Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
4. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby)
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
6. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. John Barclay (Scarlets)
 
Replacements:
16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
17. Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors)
18. Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs)
19. Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors)
20. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors)
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)
22. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors)
23. Tim Visser (Harlequins)
 
Argentina
 
15. Joaquín Tuculet
14. Matías Moroni
13. Matías Orlando 
12. Juan Martín Hernández 
11. Ramiro Moyano 
10. Nicolás Sánchez 
9. Martín Landajo 
 
1. Lucas Noguera Paz
2. Agustín Creevy (capt.)
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Guido Petti 
5. Matías Alemanno 
6. Pablo Matera 
7. Javier Ortega Desio 
8. Facundo Isa 
 
Replacements: 
16. Julián Montoya 
17. Santiago García Botta 
18. Enrique Pieretto 
19. Leonardo Senatore 
20. Juan Manuel Leguizamon 
21. Tomás Cubelli 
22. Jeronimo de la Fuente
23. Juan Pablo Estelles