England will face Argentina in San Juan on Saturday in the second and final match of a two-Test tour. The Red Roses beat Los Pumas in La Plata in the first Test last weekend. Next, England will stop at Audi Field in Washington, DC, to face the USA on their way back across the pond.
Argentina VS England Venue: Estadio San Juan del Bicentenatio, San Juan
Argentina VS England Date: Saturday, July 12
BetXchange Argentina VS England Odds:
- Argentina – 77/100
- England – 16/13
- Draw – 25/1
- Handicap – 3.5
History
Historically, this fixture has been dominated by England. Argentina has never won a series against the founders of rugby, but many think this could be the year that Argentina can best its bitter foe.
There are several reasons for this change in dynamics. The most obvious is that this England squad is far from full strength. Thirteen potential starters are on tour in Australia with the British and Irish Lions, with back-rower Tom Curry, starting pivot Finn Smith, and captain Maro Itoje all missing this series.
Even with all those players missing, England was dominant in the first Test. They ran out 35-12 winners, showcasing the depth of English rugby’s talent while once again proving that Argentina’s players on the fringes of the squad need to improve for Los Pumas to be able to rotate and still win.
It was a rampant second half that saw the Red Roses to victory. Tom Roebuck of Sale crossed the line twice to score, but the play of George Ford at fly-half caught the eye.
Ford, winning his 100th cap for England, still almost feels like an afterthought at this level. Sitting behind Owen Farrell in the No. 10 shirt for years, he has since been supplanted from the full-strength England team by youngsters Finn Smith and Marcus Smith. With all three players on Lions’ duty, Ford took his chance and once again excelled for his nation.
Argentina
Head coach Felipe Contepomi was disappointed with his charges’ performance last week. This shows in his team selection for Saturday, with the boss making seven changes to the side.
Both props have been hooked, with Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela selected to face off against the powerful English pair of Finn Baxter and Joe Hayes. Guido Petti and Santiago Grondona also start in the pack.
One change Contepomi would not have wanted to make sees Rodrigo Isgro drop out of the backline with a head injury. He was perhaps the best on ground of Los Pumas last time out, so big things will be expected of his replacement, Matias Moroni, on the right wing.
England
There is one change for England, and it is an enforced one. Henry Slade has been ruled out of the tour with a hand injury, so Luke Northmore will make his first start for his country. He slots in at No. 13, playing alongside Seb Atkinson in the centers.
The rest of the matchday 23 is the same, with England opting for a 6-2 split on the bench. This means they can birng on the power of Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Guy Pepper, and Chandler Cunningham-South in the second half.
Best Bets
Argentina was 33/100 to win last week, a price that has gone out to 77/100 this time. I said England would cover the 7.5 they were being given in La Plata, and I like them to win straight up here.
