Doing it for Matias: Milestone man driving Pumas to win Nations Championship debut

Match News and Current Form

Following six wins and six defeats in 2024, Argentina had a similarly even 2025 (W6, L7), although a narrow four-point defeat against England at Twickenham in their last game saw the losses edge out the victories. Prior to that loss, Felipe Contepomi’s side had won back-to-back games for the first time since September 2024 when they famously beat Australia and South Africa.

Ahead of their first home game since August last year, it is lock Matías Alemanno who will take the majority of the limelight as he is set to become only the fourth player for Los Pumas to reach 100 caps. With some big names missing, there are opportunities for Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Lucio Cinti to stake a claim for a regular place in the midfield.

Scotland began and ended the 2026 Six Nations Championship with away defeats against Italy and Ireland, but successive victories versus England, Wales and France saw Gregor Townsend’s side begin the final round level on points with the leaders and eyeing up their first ever Six Nations success since the tournament rebranded in 2000.

As a result, Scotland come into this Nations Championship with growing confidence, although it will be slightly tempered by their away record of only three wins from their last eight on the road (L5). Townsend has made eight changes to the XV who finished the SNC in Dublin, including welcoming back second row Jonny Gray who missed the entirety of the tournament earlier this year.

Head-to-Head History

Argentina won the last H2H, at Murrayfield in November last year, the fifth meeting in a row where the team who lost the previous H2H came out on top.

Hot Stats and Streaks

Argentina won the first half and then lost the second half in three of their last four matches (W1, L2).

Argentina have scored a range of 26-34 points across four of their last five games against Scotland.

Four of Scotland’s five matches this year finished over the main total points handicap.

Scotland led at half-time in eight of the last nine H2Hs.

Key Players to Watch and Missing Players

Rodrigo Isgró has scored a second half try in each of Argentina’s last two games which includes the last H2H with Scotland. Ewan Ashman has scored two tries, one in each half, in both of his H2Hs against Argentina.

For Argentina, Marcos Kremer is missing due to the birth of his son while Santiago Chocobares and Justo ​Piccardo both miss out after playing in France’s Top 14 Final last weekend. Scotland are without Finn Russell who has a calf injury.

Betting Analysis

With his impressive returns in previous H2Hs, backing Ewan Ashman to get a try looks good value.