Scotland go for sweep against Pumas

Andy Robinson © Gallo Images

Scotland go for an unexpected clean sweep of November wins on Saturday against Argentina.

Having finished next to last in the Six Nations in March, Scotland's improvement under former England coach Andy Robinson has been dramatic.

It beat Fiji 23-10 and last week defeated Australia 9-8 for their first win over the Wallabies in 27 years.

Guarding against complacency, Robinson has made three changes and a positional switch to his lineup for a game against an Argentina side unbeaten at Murrayfield since 1990.

"We do have competition for places," Robinson said. "Australia was a very physical international and that is now history. This selection is about the management of our squad and giving players that performed in the A team an opportunity to deliver a win for Scotland."

Edinburgh flanker Alan MacDonald will make his debut in place of John Barclay, whom Robinson said needed to rest after his defensive work against the Wallabies.

Center Ben Cairns and winger Thom Evans were recalled to introduce more pace to the backs, with Alex Grove moving to inside center.

Captain Chris Cusiter has recovered from the head knock that forced him off after 20 minutes against Australia, which would have won at Murrayfield had flyhalf Matt Giteau not missed what looked a straightforward last-minute conversion.

Argentina have won their last three matches at Murrayfield but they are coming off defeats to England and Wales.

The Pumas made four changes to their pack among six switches, changing two members of their front row and one each in the second and back.

Leicester prop Marcos Ayerza replaces Rodrigo Roncero and Alberto Vernet Basualdo comes in for hooker Mario Ledesma. Manuel Carizza takes over from lock Mariano Sambucetti and Alejandro Campos replaces Tomas Leonardi at blindside flanker.

"I think they will persevere with their game plan," Cusiter said. "They do like to play a little bit of rugby and around that they have their strong set-pieces and are very aggressive in the contact area.

"We don't want to get into an arm wrestle with them because they are very strong."

Lineups:
Scotland: Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Ben Cairns, Alex Grove, Thom Evans, Phil Godman, Chris Cusiter (captain), Johnnie Beattie, Alan MacDonald, Alasdair Strokosch, Alastair Kellock, Nathan Hines, Moray Low, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Kyle Traynor, Jason White, Richie Vernon, Rory Lawson, Chris Paterson, Nick De Luca.

Argentina: Horacio Agulla, Lucas Borges, Gonzalo Tiesi, Martin Rodriguez, Federico Martin Aramburu, Santiago Fernandez, Alfredo Lalanne; Marcos Ayerza, Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Martin Scelzo, Manuel Carizza, Patricio Albacete, Alejandro Campos, Alejandro Abadie, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Rodrigo Roncero, Estaban Lozada, Tomas Leonardi, Agustin Figuerola, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Horacio San Martin.

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