TEST RUGBY IN ARGENTINA: France Out to Level The Series

23.06.2012
France v Argentina in Tucuman

Venue: Estadio José Fierro

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Preview
France may not have all their top players in Argentina but they sure need to up their game and treat encounters against Argentina with more respect.

There is a distinct possibility that legendary Argentina back Felipe Contipome may be playing his last game for the Pumas. He has indicated he will not play in the inaugural Rugby Championship. His team mates and the local crowd will be willing him and the team on to a memorable and fitting victory. It will be close!

Last Five Encounters
16.06.2012 Argentina 23-20 in Cordoba
20.11.2010 France 15-9 in Montpellier
26.06.2010 Argentina 41-13 in Buenos Aires
08.11.2008 France 12-6 in Marseilles
19.10.2007 Argentina 34-10 in Paris (World Cup, playoff 3rd-4th)

France has lost their last five games in Argentina, not having won their since 1999.

France Last Five
16.06.2012 v Argentina L 20-23 in Cordoba
17.03.2012 v Wales L 9-16 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
11.03.2012 v England L 22-24 in Paris (6 Nations)
04.03.2012 v Ireland D 17-17 in Paris (6 Nations)
26.02.2012 v Scotland W 23-17 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)

Argentina Last Five
16.06.2012 v France W 23-20 in Cordoba
09.06.2012 v Italy W 37-22 in San Juan
26.05.2012 v Chile W 59-6 in Santiago (CONSUR A)
23.05.2012 v Brazil W 110-0 in Santiago (CONSUR A)
20.05.2012 v Uruguay W 40-4 in Santiago (CONSUR A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Argentina 7th, France 8th

IRB Ranking Points
Argentina 81.22, France 81.06

Prediction: Argentina by 2 points

Teams

Argentina
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Facundo Barrea, 13 Agustin Gosio, 12 Felipe Contepomi (Capt.), 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomas Leonardi, 6 Tomas De la Vega,
5 Esteban Lozada, 4 Julio Farias Cabello, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Andres Bordoy, 1 Eusebio Guinazu.
Replacements
16 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Santiago Guzman, 19 Benjamin Macome, 20 Rodrigo Baez, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Gabriel Ascarate.
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan

France
15 Brice Dulin, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Maxime Mermoz,
11 Yoann Huget, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Alexandre Lapandry, 5 Yoan Maestri,
4 Pascal Pape (Capt.), 3 David Attoub, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Vincent Debaty.
Replacements
16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Christopher Samson,
19 Wenceslas Lauret, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 Francois Trinh Duc, 22 Wesley Fofana.
Head Coach:Philippe Saint-André