Argentina v Scotland, Mar del Plata, June 19
Scotland close in on series triumph
Scrum.com
June 17, 2010
Scotland's Dan Parks lines up a shot at goal, Argentina v Scotland, Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro, Tucuman, Argentina, June 12, 2010
Will the boot of fly-half Dan Parks carry the Scots to victory again in Mar del Plata? © PA Photos
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Teams: Argentina | Scotland

Scotland will look to complete an historic series triumph over Argentina when the two sides go head-to-head in Mar del Plata on Saturday.

Fly-half Dan Parks exploited an ill-disciplined Argentina to kick his side to a memorable 24-16 triumph in Tucuman last weekend that put his side within reach of their first ever series victory on overseas soil. Standing in their way are a Pumas side seething from losing their unbeaten record in Tucuman but the Estadio Jose Maria Minella clash should hold little fear for the tourists as they seek an impressive third successive win in Argentina.

Last weekend's win owed a great deal to Argentina's generosity and referee Dave Pearson's whistle but Scotland's physicality and dynamism were also a key elements. The Scotland pack - anchored superbly by loose-head prop Allan Jacobsen, hooker Ross Ford and tight-head Moray Low - weathered a ferocious assault to upset the hosts and help the Scots kick on from their Six Nations victory over Ireland. Under the stewardship of former Italy international prop and now scrum coach, Massimo Cuttitta, the tourists more than held their own - memorably battling the Pumas' experienced pack in the early stages of the second half.

The Scots will no doubt require a similar effort, if not more, this weekend and may have to find another dimension in attack should the Pumas stop the rot at the breakdown, where they were consistently penalised in their attempts to slow the game down. The Pumas outscored their opponents by two tries to none last weekend thanks to a first half flurry but were unable maintain either their momentum or success rate.

Scotland's failure to cross for tries - they have notched just one in their last four encounters - remains a concern but their success at breaking the gainline last Saturday offers hope. Parks was the most impressive performer in Tucuman, gladly accepting flat ball and taking the attack to Argentina. In doing so he set the tone for a high-energy approach featuring some slick handling and direct running.

A near to full strength Argentina side were not wanting in terms of attacking endeavour and it would appear that they require little surgery in their quest to find a winning balance. A more disciplined performance from their pack should bring immediate reward and with the likes of fly-half Felipe Contepomi, centre Gonzalo Tiesi and winger Horacio Agulla looking hungry they are not short of willing combatants.

Scotland boss Andy Robinson is taking nothing for granted this weekend and has made just one change to his side with Ulster wing Simon Danielli drafted in. His recall means a move to the No.14 jersey for Sean Lamont while Max Evans returns to outside-centre in place of Nick De Luca. The in-form Parks is again paired with Gloucester's Rory Lawson at halfback. On the bench, De Luca takes the place of Jim Thompson while Alasdair Dickinson's return to fitness means no place in the 22 for Geoff Cross.

The only doubt hanging over the team was surrounding No.8 Johnnie Beattie, who limped off the field in Tucuman with a dead leg. The injury prevented him from training for much of the week but he has shaken off the knock and retains his place in the side.

Argentina head coach Santiago Phelan has kept faith with the majority of his side as they look to avoid a rare series defeat. In comes scrum-half Agustin Figuerola for Alfredo Lalanne, while Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino gets the nod on the left wing ahead of Lucas Borges, who drops to the bench. Santiago Guzman and Rafael Carballo will be among the replacements with Mariano Galarza and Ignacio Mieres dropping out, while Nicolas Vergallo is the replacement scrum-half.

Robinson wasted no time in raising the bar for his side in the wake of their impressive showing in Tucuman - perhaps all too aware that his side would face a swift backlash from the Pumas. And it is arguably this game that will prove to be the most valuable to the Scots in gauging their own progress as they build towards the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year. Victory would bring rightful praise and confidence ahead of a testing end of year campaign including clashes with New Zealand and South Africa. Should Argentina fail to right the wrongs of Tucuman they will relish the chance to tackle France in a one-off Test later this month, but they will not be looking any further than Saturday's clash.

Both sides will be well aware that they are set to meet again at the World Cup with Christchurch set to play host to their Pool B clash on September 25, 2011. There is a lot of rugby to be played before that day but this latest meeting provides a great opportunity to lay down a huge psychological marker that will surely resonate.

Argentina: M Rodriguez (Stade Francais); L Gonzalez Amorosino (Leicester), G Tiesi (Stade Francais), S Fernandez (Montpellier), H Agulla (Leicester); F Contepomi (Toulon, capt), A Figuerola (CASI); R Roncero (Stade Francais), M Ledesma (Clermont), M Scelzo (Clermont), M Carizza (Biarritz), P Albacete (Stade Toulousian), G Fessia (Cordoba Athletic), JM Leguizamon (Stade Francais), JM Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon).

Replacements: M Ayerza (Leicester), S Guzman (Tucuman RC), A Campos (Montauban), N Vergallo (Dax), R Carballo (Beagles Bordeaux), L Borges (Albi).

Scotland: H Southwell (Stade Francais); S Lamont (Scarlets), M Evans (Glasgow Warriors), G Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), S Danielli (Ulster); D Parks (Glasgow Warriors), R Lawson (Gloucester); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow Warriors), J Hamilton (Edinburgh), A Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), K Brown (Glasgow Warriors), J Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), J Barclay (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), A Dickinson (Gloucester), S MacLeod (Edinburgh), A Strokosch (Gloucester), M Blair (Edinburgh), P Godman (Edinburgh), N De Luca (Edinburgh)

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)

Assistant referees: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Dave Pearson (England)

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