Autumn Internationals: Juan Martin Hernandez will reach a personal milestone when Argentina face Scotland
Thursday 6 November 2014 16:29, UK
Juan Martin Hernandez will win his 50th cap for Argentina when they take on Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Hernandez, who was at fly-half when Argentina finished third in the 2007 World Cup, will line up at inside centre when the Pumas square off against the Scots.
Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade is without several players due to injury or illness and he has made five changes to the team who beat Australia 21-17 in Mendoza a month ago to give the Pumas their first ever victory in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship.
Rested
Marcelo Bosch returns to partner Hernandez in midfield after being rested against the Wallabies and Manuel Montero comes in for Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino on the left wing.
Javier Ortega Desio starts at openside flanker in place of the unwell Benjamin Macome and newcomer Juan Cruz Guillemain will make his Pumas debut in the second row in the absence of Mariano Galarza.
With Bruno Postiglioni also absent, Ramiro Herrera will play at tighthead prop in place of Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, who drops to the bench.
Experienced loosehead prop Marcos Ayerza will be in the team and he is unworried about the number of youngsters the Pumas will be relying on.
"That's the reality but the kids have shown they are up to it, like Ortega Desio, (flanker Rodrigo) Baez,” said Ayerza.
“They're getting opportunities and they're making the most of them. They are growing, they are the best of their generation.”
Scotland defeated Argentina 21-19 in Cordoba in June but the Pumas triumphed 9-6 when the sides last met at Murrayfield, in 2009.
Argentina: J Tuculet, J Imhoff, M Bosch, JM Hernandez, M Montero, N Sanchez, M Landajo, M Ayerza, A Creevy (captain), R Herrera, T Lavanini, JC Guillemain, R Baez, JO Desio, L Senatore
Replacements: M Cortese, LN Paz, NT Chaparro, L Ponce, F Isa, T Cubelli, SG Iglesias, H Agulla
