Argentina name unchanged matchday squad for Cardiff game against Wales

Michael Cheika has retained his faith in the Pumas side that defeated England
Michael Cheika has retained his faith in the Pumas side that defeated England
©PA

Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged matchday squad for the upcoming clash against Wales to be played in Cardiff on Saturday.

Julián Montoya continues to lead the side as Cheika has retained his faith on the side that defeated England in the opening game.

The Pumas have defeated Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and England since Cheika took over but the former Wallabies coach believes playing Wales in Cardiff will be a different challenge.

“When you come away from home in rugby, you are always the underdog,” said Cheika.

“When you walk out on to the Principality Stadium and there are however many thousands of Welsh people there, supporting their team, you are the underdog.

“Honestly, I don’t see anyone coming to Cardiff as favourites. It’s such a difficult place to come to in that atmosphere.

“You’ve got to be so good on game day to be in the contest. We know we will be in the minority, but that challenge of playing in the big theatres when you are the opposition is a really enjoyable one."

Team line up:

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Mateo Carreras, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo

Reserves: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Eliseo Morales, 22 Tomás Albornoz, 23 Matías Orlando