Argentina have made strategic changes to their squad as they prepare for their upcoming Nations Championship encounter against Wales this Saturday. This move comes after their narrow 47-38 defeat to Scotland on home soil during the opening round last weekend, a match that exposed some vulnerabilities in their gameplay.
In a significant development, experienced loose forward Marcos Kremer rejoins the team after missing the previous fixture due to the birth of his child. Alongside Kremer, lock Efrain Elias and centre Justo Piccardo have also been recalled following the conclusion of the French Top 14 season, adding depth and experience to the squad. Conversely, Mateo Soler and Luciano Asevedo have been omitted from the lineup for the forthcoming match in San Juan.
Head coach Felipe Contepomi reflected on the defeat to Scotland, describing it as disappointing and highlighting that the team lacked urgency and intensity during critical moments of the game. He emphasized the necessity for improvement, particularly in their defensive organization, stating, “We need to address our maul defence, it wasn’t good enough.” This focus on tightening their defense will be crucial as they face a strong Welsh side.
Looking beyond the Wales fixture, Argentina is set to host England in Santiago del Estero on July 18, marking their third home game in the Nations Championship. These matches are pivotal for Argentina as they aim to build momentum and improve their standing in the tournament.
