France v Argentina - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: A resurgent France host a vastly improving Argentina on Friday in the final game of the November internationals. Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie is already thinking of next year's Six Nations.
Los Pumas, coached by former Test playmaker Felipe Contepomi, are hurting from last week's loss at Ireland, which followed a hammering of Italy earlier in the month and a promising Rugby Championship campaign.
Galthie's side edged New Zealand by a point last Saturday in a rare highlight to a mixed 13 months since last year's World Cup quarterfinal loss on home soil.
"They've had a great season," Galthie told reporters this week.
"I think they would have been disappointed with last weekend.
"They're a team that are fearless," he added.
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France's tough period has included a chastening defeat to Ireland, a drab draw with Italy and July's scandal-hit tour of South America.
This week's meeting in Paris marks the first game between the sides since two France players returned home following accusations of rape in Argentina and another made racist remarks on social media.
Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has now returned from his Olympics sevens success to play an influential part in a hammering of Japan and the nerve-wracking All Blacks victory.
Despite his good form, the skipper has been omitted from the shortlist for the men's 15-a-side Player of the Year award.
"We know that he is on the opposing team but we have to be careful not to put all our vision on one player and neglect the other 14 who also have supreme quality," Contepomi told reporters.
"Without a doubt, he is the best player in the world and has been for years," the former Stade Francais centre added.
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'Vision'
For the Test with Los Pumas, who last claimed an away victory in the fixture in 2014, Galthie has dropped one of his key players since he took over in 2020.
No.8 Gregory Alldritt misses out on matchday 23 to rest, as Galthie attempts not to over-charge his squad, who play in the intense Top 14.
The Six Nations is two months away and the 2027 World Cup is already on Galthie's mind.
"We have a desire to create competition in the squad," Galthie said.
"There's this match, our final game of the year and the series, and a vision of the 2025 Six Nations with trips to Ireland and England.
"We also have a vision for 2027," he added.
Contepomi has made one change from the three-point loss in Dublin as Gonzalo Garcia starts at scrum-half instead of Gonzalo Bertranou.
The 47-year-old can call upon 10 France-based players this weekend, including versatile full-back Juan Cruz Mallia, who has won three Top 14 titles since joining Toulouse in 2021.
"Juanchi is a very important player for the team, he is part of the group of leaders," Contepomi said.
"If you look at his career, he's been constantly improving, and I think he's in a spectacular moment as a player."
Contepomi ends his first year in charge with the game at the Stade de France, having taken over from Michael Cheika after the World Cup, where Los Pumas finished fourth.
He has overseen six wins from 11 Tests, including an Argentina record of three victories in the Rugby Championship.
"I think we have improved, that we are on the right track, but there is still a lot to do," Contepomi said.
"I think we are still a team in the process of development."
Players to watch:
For France: The big news is certainly No.8 Gregory Alldritt's absence. The leader's shoes will be filled by Charles Ollivon, who will deficnalty have his work cut out for him against the Los Pumas. Loose forward Francois Cros, prop Uini Atonio and fullback Leo Barre are the new faces replacing Alexandre Roumat, Tevita Tatafu and Romain Buros.
For Argentina: There is only one change in the Los Pumas' starting line-up that went down to Ireland last weekend. The only change is that Gonzalo Garcia is entrusted with the No.9 jersey, replacing Gonzalo Bertranou. Garcia partners with Tomas Albornoz in the new-look halfback pairing. In the pack, loose forward Pablo Matera is always one to make an impact, while captain Julian Montoya is another influential player who will want to conclude their tour on a high note.
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Prediction
@rugby365com: France by five points
Teams:
France: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Charles Ollivon, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Mickael Guillard, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Marko Gazzotti, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Matias Moroni, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Marcos Kremer, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Mateo Carreras.
Date: Friday, November 22
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT; 17.10 Argentina time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)