France v Argentina Preview

After defeating Australia last week France, Philippe Saint-Andre now looks to have steadied the ship after two years of inconsistency. As for Argentina they got back to winning ways winning away to Italy after defeat to Scotland in their first game of the Autumn series. The French were deserving winners against the Wallabies and will look to end their November series with a clean sweep of wins when they face the Pumas on Saturday.

The Puma’s record against France is not the best in recent years with them managing to win only two of the last six games against the French. The last time they beat France was in the Summer of 2012 in a 23-20 win in Cordoba, but you have to go all the way back to 2007 for the last time they were able to beat the French away from home and few Pumas fans would forget that. They beat France twice at the 2007 Rugby World Cup securing third spot beating the French on two occasions during the tournament in a group stage match and a third place play-off. In the most recent meeting between these sides France secured a 39-22 win, in the November series in 2012.

In team news France make five changes from the side that defeated Australia last weekend. In the forwards Xavier Chiocci makes his first start for Les Bleus with Benjamin Kayser and Sebastien Vahaamahina also comes into the side. There are two changes in the backline with Maxime Mermoz getting his first start of the Autumn Series replacing Dumoulin in the centre. The other change see’s Maxime Medard make his first start in November replacing Teddy Thomas who has been dropped from the squad after missing training.

As for the Pumas they make four changes from their side that defeated Italy in what will be their final test match of the year. There is one change in the pack with captain Augustin Creevy returning to the starting XV with Matias Cortese dropping to the bench, In the backline there are three changes with Nicolas Sanchez who was so impressive in the Rugby Championship in the Summer returning at Flyhalf with Juan Martin Hernandez moving to centre with Marcelo Bosch also coming into the side to play alongside The Racing Metro player. The third change see’s Juan Imhoff start on the wing with Cardiff Blues Lucas Amorosino selected on the bench.

Should be a great game of Rugby after so many entertaining games between these two sides over the years, as France look to make it a three from three in November while the Pumas will be looking for another shock win in France and finish the year on a high.