Martinez ends five-year Test exile as Contepomi names near-unchanged Pumas side to face Australia

Felipe Contepomi has named an almost identical Argentina squad for Saturday’s Rugby Championship fixture against Australia in Jujuy, keeping faith with the starting XV that fell 17-10 to South Africa earlier this month — but handing Dragons prop Rodrigo Martinez a first Test appearance since 2021.

Martinez, who will wear the No.17 jersey, is set to win his fourth cap if called upon, replacing ex-Gloucester man Marco Vivas among the replacements. The selection marks the most notable change from the Springboks defeat, with Contepomi also switching to a 5-3 forward-to-back split on the bench rather than the six-two configuration used against South Africa. Fly-half Nicolas Roger, also on four caps, comes in for Juan Martin Scelzo as the second personnel change among the replacements.

In the pack, Boris Wenger and Francisco Moreno start at prop with Ignacio Ruiz at hooker. Vice-captain Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini provide experience in the second row, while captain Pablo Matera leads from blindside flanker for his 126th Test cap. Benjamin Grondona and Joaquin Moro retain their places at openside and No.8 respectively.

The backline is unchanged, with Newcastle’s Simon Benitez Cruz and Bath’s Santiago Carreras forming an all-Premiership half-back partnership. Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Lucio Cinti continue in midfield, Ignacio Mendy and Rodrigo Isgro hold their wing berths, and Geronimo Prisciantelli starts at full-back.

Contepomi’s decision to persist with largely the same group reflects a desire for continuity despite the defeat in Pretoria, with the Pumas looking to bounce back and build momentum in the southern hemisphere championship.