Scotland play the opener of their three-game series against Argentina at San Salvador de Jujuy on Saturday night (8.10pm BST), aiming to extend an impressive recent record at Los Pumas.
Scotland have won their last five games in Argentina – in five different cities, dating back to 2008 – but Los Pumas are playing at home for the first time in three years and have a new head coach in the form of the former club boss. Leinster and Australia. Michael Cheika.
The Scots will play Jujuy for the first time in their history, with Estadio 23 de Agosto, a 24,000-capacity football ground home to second-tier club Gimnasia, the host stadium for the inaugural Test.
Head coach Gregor Townsend could make a successful tour of South America to ease the pressure that is starting to build on him, 14 months from the World Cup, after a disappointing Six Nations that saw Scotland finish fourth, with only two wins out of five. matches.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first test:
When is Argentina vs Scotland?
The first test will be played at Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy on Saturday July 2 at 8:10 p.m. BST.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event – with coverage starting at 7.30pm. If you are not a Sky customer, you can get a NOWTV day pass here to watch without a subscription.
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What’s up with the team?
Scotland have opted to leave talismans Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg at home to rest after a long season, meaning Blair Kinghorn takes the fly-half position and Grant Gilchrist takes over as captain for the first time in four years.
Mark Bennett makes his first Scotland start at center since 2016 after a superb season for Edinburgh, British and Irish lion Duhan van der Merwe is back on the wing after missing the Six Nations conclusion through suspension and flanker Luke Crosbie starts for the first time.
New Argentina manager Michael Cheika has named his first 23 since taking charge, opting for Leicester Tiger Julian Montoya as the hooker’s Argentina captain, with London Irish’s Agustin Creevy the No 2 replacement – returning for Los Pumas for the first time since 2019. Nicolas Sanchez and Tomas Cubelli form an experienced halfback partnership.
Scotland: 15 Rory Hutchinson, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ali Price; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Grant Gilchrist (c), 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Luke Crosbie, 8 Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Rory Darge, 21 Ben White, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Sione Tuipulotu.
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia; 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli; 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli; 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Pablo Matera.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, Lucas Paulos, 19 Facundo Isa, 20 Gonzalo Bertranou, 21 Santiago Carreras, 22 Matias Moroni.
Odds
Argentina win – 1/2
Draw – 20/1
Scotland win – 9/5
Prediction
Scotland have a good record in Argentina but without Russell and Hogg, and after a disappointing Six Nations victory will be in high demand. Los Pumas have had their own problems but new coach Cheika will want to get off to a good start – we back him to do just that. Argentina 33-28 Scotland
Complete TV program for the summer tours
Saturday July 2
New Zealand vs Ireland – live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am (kick-off 8.05am)
Australia vs England – live on Sky Sports Action from 10.15am (kick-off 10.55am)
South Africa vs Wales – live on Sky Sports Action from 3.30pm (kick-off 4.05pm)
Argentina vs Scotland – live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30pm (kick-off 8.10pm)
Saturday July 9
New Zealand vs Ireland – live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am (kick-off 8.05am)
Australia vs England – live on Sky Sports Action from 10.15am (kick-off 10.55am)
South Africa vs Wales – live on Sky Sports Action from 3.30pm (kick-off 4.05pm)
Argentina vs Scotland – live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30pm (kick-off 8.10pm)
tuesday july 12
Maori All Blacks vs Ireland – live on Sky Sports Action from 8am (kick-off 8.05am)
Saturday July 16
New Zealand vs Ireland – live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am (kick-off 8.05am)
Australia vs England – live on Sky Sports Action from 10.15am (kick-off 10.55am)
South Africa vs Wales – live on Sky Sports Action from 3.30pm (kick-off 4.05pm)
Argentina vs Scotland – live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30pm (kick-off 8.10pm)
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