Expect Scots' attacking style to tel after the break against Argentina

BBC1 & BT Sport 2, 2.30pm Saturday

There was a time when Scotland and Argentina were renowned for dour, low-scoring clashes dominated by the boot with the ball spending most of its time high in the air.

The sides met at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, with the Pumas claiming victory by scorelines of 19-13 and 13-12, and those matches bookended a run of seven matches featuring just 11 tries.

It's all change in both camps now though and when the teams met in Argentina in June Scotland ran out 44-15 winners, scoring six tries to two.

The Pumas have shored up since their poor start to the year, but this should still be an open contest as Scotland try to put on the kind of show they were unable to in defeat to South Africa and Wales this month.

Both of those teams stamped their physical mark on their opponents, but against Fiji Scotland were able to move the ball to their dangerous backline runners and clocked up a 54-17 success.

Head coach Gregor Townsend has made it clear he wants his players to move the ball and get it wide, but the Pumas have danger men of their own and are far from the one-dimensional scrummaging machine they used to be.

A tally of 18 tries in six matches in the Rugby Championship highlights Argentina's attacking edge, although it's one they have struggled to find on tour as they have managed just one try apiece in defeats to Ireland and France.

Fatigue could also be a factor at the end of a long year. Most of the squad have been flying around the world since the start of the Super Rugby campaign in February, and the best way to support the Scots could be to back them to cover a modest handicap in the second half and pull clear.

Recommendation
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2pts 5-6 Betfair

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