Argentina v Scotland prediction cast as veteran forward recalls his shaved head moment

Scotland will bring down the curtain on the opening round of fixtures when they take on Argentina at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba. Historically, there has been very little to separate the two nations when they have gone head-to-head.

Los Pumas currently have the slightest of edges over the Scots, having won 12 out of their 23 meetings since 1990. Their most recent encounter was a memorable one for all the wrong reasons from a Scotland perspective, losing 33-24 at Murrayfield last November despite leading the match 21-0 in the first half.

‘A style of play I really like’ - Argentina head coach praises Scotland ahead of Nations Championship clash in Cordoba

All the talk coming out of the Argentina camp is that Saturday’s match is likely to be yet another closely-fought contest with little to separate the two nations. Head coach Felipe Contepomi expects his players will have to be at their very best in order to ensure a result.

He said: "Scotland is a team whose style of play I really like, and to achieve the result we want, they demand the maximum from us. They truly have a very positive ambition and attitude towards the game.

“The matches are always open, dynamic, and very intense. Beyond the results, it's a pleasure and a challenge, and we like it because we know it's going to be a difficult match, in terms of intensity and demands."

The former Leinster and Toulon fly-half also spoke about his friendship with Scotland counterpart Gregor Townsend, adding: “We've played against each other, and as a coach he's excellent, as well as an excellent person. Rugby goes beyond the rectangle of the touchline, and if there's one thing rugby gives you, it's the friendships you can maintain all the time.

“It's not just with Scotland; it happens with several coaching staffs with whom we stay in touch, and one day we'll stop being head coaches and we'll meet again.”

Argentina captain expects ‘very even’ contest against Scotland in Nations Championship opener

Also looking ahead to this weekend’s match was Argentina captain Julián Montoya. The hooker will earn his 118th cap this weekend, but still remembers the first time he started a match in a Pumas jersey which was against Scotland back in 2014 - the last time the two nations played each other at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes.

"It's been a long time,” Montoya recalled. “It was the first time I played as a starter against a Tier 1 team, I'd had my head shaved the week before, it's a nice memory. What can I expect in terms of resemblance? Not much, rugby has evolved a lot.

"Scotland is at a high level, we're getting back together after a long time eager to play, and I think it's going to be a very physical, very even, very hard-fought match, but we're preparing well and we want to show it on the field.”

Gregor Townsend named his starting XV and replacements for the match on Thursday with Finn Russell’s absence the biggest talking point. Bristol Bears’ stand-off Tom Jordan starts at 10 ,with Saracens counterpart Fergus Burke named on the bench.

There is also a return for lock Jonny Gray, who makes his first appearance in over 18 months. Kyle Rowe comes in at full-back, with Blair Kinghorn rested after a long season with French champions Toulouse.

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