Fourth in the southern pool of the Nations Championship after one win in three games in July, the Pumas open their autumn tour against a side they have never beaten in Dublin.
91 points in the Top 14
The nine starters from the French league have scored 91 points and 12 tries in the Top 14 this season. Tomás Albornoz leads the way: the fly-half has started all six of his games for Toulon and has 33 points. He scored 30 in three games for Argentina in July.
On the wing, Clermont’s Bautista Delguy has three tries in five games. Montpellier centre Justo Piccardo has played the most: eight games and 474 minutes in the Top 14, after two tries in two Tests this summer.
Mallía returns
Juan Cruz Mallía is back with the Pumas almost a year after rupturing knee ligaments against England in November 2025, Le Figaro notes. The Toulouse full-back has played only three Top 14 games this season, for 184 minutes. His club team-mate Santiago Chocobares, concussed in mid-October against Exeter in the Champions Cup, is fit.
Thirteen France-based players
On the bench, Efrain Elias (Toulouse), Juan Martín Scelzo (Stade Français) and Gerónimo Prisciantelli (Racing 92) also play in the Top 14. Prop Mayco Vivas plays for Oyonnax in Pro D2. In all, thirteen of the 23 play in France.
The team
Mallía; Delguy, Piccardo, Chocobares, M. Carreras; Albornoz, G. García; Kremer, Matera, J. M. González; Rubiolo, Petti; Moreno, Montoya (capt.), Wenger.
Replacements: Oviedo, Vivas, Sclavi, Elias, Scelzo, Benítez Cruz, Prisciantelli, Cinti.
In July, Argentina lost to Scotland (38-47) and England (24-31) and beat Wales (35-21).
Key figures
9 Argentina starters who play in the Top 14
91 Top 14 points for those nine this season
33 points for Albornoz in six games for Toulon
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